Longtime National Hockey League linesman Dan McCourt has passed away at age 70, reportedly after an ‘extended illness.’ 

The Sudbury, Ontario, native spent 25 years in NHL stripes, officiating 1,624 regular season games from 1979-2004.

“I just wanted to get to the NHL – that was my goal,” McCourt said back in 2015, on his induction into the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame. “When the playing side of it ended, I thought, you know what, there’s two opportunities open here – you can either coach or you can referee…  I’m going to try this refereeing thing and I’m going to see how far I can go with it.”

After hanging up his skates, McCourt stayed with the NHL as an officiating manager. 

“The NHL mourns the passing of linesman Danny McCourt, who officiated over 1,600 NHL games and served almost two decades in scouting and development with the League’s officiating department. Our thoughts are with his wife Betty, family, friends and the many colleagues he worked alongside throughout his career.” – @NHL via X.

McCourt wasn’t the only member of his family to make it to the National Hockey League. His brother, Dale, played seven seasons in the league, suiting up for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs.  His uncle, George Armstrong, played 21 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning four Stanley Cups; Armstrong was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.

The veteran official also lent his experience to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League as a member of their supervisory staff.  The league shared their condolences in a statement:

“The entire NOJHL sends its deepest condolences to Dan’s family, friends and all those who knew him.”

“From the supervision of game officials, to providing guidance during the course of their assignments, he presented abounding direction in their progress over the course of each campaign. That valuable insight to the league referees and those working the lines, earned the respect of all those he was associated with.”

“He was also a key member of the NOJHL officials’ supervisory staff. From working alongside commissioner Robert Mazzuca as a special assistant and with the other league supervisors in the day-to-day role of the betterment of the league and its on-ice officials, he aided in their development, including advancing to the next level.”  

Our thoughts are with Dan’s family, friends, and former colleagues.