Former 'Hockey Night in Canada' executive Doug Sellars dies at age 50

The world of sports broadcasting has lost one of its longtime leaders.

Doug Sellars, the former executive producer of CBC Sports, died on Friday after collapsing while playing a pick-up hockey game. Sellars was 50.

Sellars began his career at CBC in 1985 working on "Hockey Night in Canada" and went on to become head of sports production, overseeing several Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games.

He produced his first Grey Cup game at just 27 years of age.

"While unfortunately I didn't know Doug personally, I understand he had a wonderful disposition and his calm and kind way made him a gifted leader, respected by everyone who had the pleasure of working for him," Kirstine Stewart, CBC's executive vice-president, said in a statement.

The multiple Gemini Award-winner left CBC to join Fox Sports in 2000, where he continued to oversee the production of NHL games and other pro sports throughout the U.S.

The Ryerson University grad died just four months after taking over as an executive vice-president of Fox Sports in Los Angeles.

Funeral arrangements are pending.