Small-Town Beginnings, Big-League Career for Beaverton’s Basil McRae

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

Long before Basil McRae carved out a 16-year career in the National Hockey League, his hockey journey was taking shape in the rinks of small-town Ontario, where the game was as much about community as competition.

Born and raised in Beaverton, where he made his mark early, helping his hometown teams capture several provincial championships. Those successes opened the door to junior hockey, and in 1975 he arrived in Port Perry, to suit up for the Flamingos, the team now known as the Port Perry LumberJacks.

McRae spent two seasons with the Flamingos, in 1975 and 1976, playing at Scugog Arena, during a formative stage of his development.

“Those were important years for me,” Mr. McRae said. “In places like Port Perry, you’re playing in front of people who know you and care about the team. That support pushes you to be better every night.”

After his time in Port Perry, Mr. McRae continued his junior career, with the Toronto Nationals, before moving on to the London Knights. His physical style, work ethic and leadership quickly caught the attention of professional scouts.

Just five years after his final game at Scugog Arena, Mr. McRae reached hockey’s highest level. In 1981, he joined the Quebec Nordiques, beginning a professional career which spanned 16 seasons. Over that time, he became known as a dependable, hard-nosed forward and went on to play for several NHL teams, including: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues.

“I knew what kind of player I was,” he explained. “I wasn’t going to lead the league in scoring, but I could work hard, stand up for my teammates and do my job. That mentality started long before the NHL.”

Mr. McRae’s career also featured a brief moment in popular culture. In 1992, he appeared in the hockey classic The Mighty Ducks, a lighthearted highlight in an otherwise rugged professional journey.

His contributions to the game have been recognized closer to home as well. In 2007, Basil and his brother Chris became the first siblings inducted into the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame, a milestone honour, celebrating their lasting impact on hockey in the region.

After retiring as a player, McRae remained deeply connected to the sport. Today, he is part of the London Knights ownership group and serves as Director of Pro Scouting, with the Columbus Blue Jackets, helping identify and develop talent at the professional level.

Despite decades in the game and success on hockey’s biggest stages, Mr. McRae remains grounded in his roots.

“Everything starts in small towns,” he said. “That’s where you learn how to play the game the right way, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

From Beaverton and Port Perry to the NHL and beyond, Basil McRae’s story is a reminder, big-league careers often begin on small-town ice.