Former CKNW Radio sportscaster Neil Macrae dies

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      One of the most acerbic broadcasters in B.C. history has passed away from cancer at the age of 65.

      Neil Macrae courted controversy throughout his lengthy career on CKNW Radio and Rock 101.

      Macrae's morning commentaries routinely ridiculed Canucks head coaches, including the most successful in franchise history, Alain Vigneault.

      Macrae also referred to Daniel and Henrik Sedin as the "Sedin sisters" because they preferred playmaking over pugilism.

      This approach often brought him in conflict with former Canucks general manager Brian Burke.

      For many years, the Canucks were owned by the Griffiths family, which also owned CKNW. Naturally, CKNW had the Canucks' broadcast rights during that era.

      But after the sports and broadcasting empire was broken up following the death of patriarch Frank Griffiths, the Canucks switched allegiance to TEAM 1040 (now called TSN 1040), selling it the broadcast rights.

      After that happened, Macrae continued trashing the team.

      He was also often heard doing radio ads for the Morrey auto dealerships.

      In 1987, Macrae was at the centre of the firing of veteran sportscaster Al Davidson. At the time, Macrae felt that the much smaller Davidson had threatened his life, causing the station to dump the man who gave Macrae a job.

      Davidson later claimed that he was joking and won a wrongful dismissal suit.

      Macrae was married to Laurie Rix, who was media spokesperson for former mayor Philip Owen for several years.

      This morning on CKNW, Macrae's former colleague, Simi Sara, told listeners that he was actually a very nice guy and that the public often confused his grumpy on-air persona with his real-life personality.

      Listen to this exchange between Neil Macrae and Brian Burke during the 1998-99 season.

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