| Born: | Jan 26, 1957 | Draft: | 1977 Red Wings, 1st Overall |
| Hometown: | Falconbridge, Ontario | Position: | Centre |
| Known For: | 1977 CHL Player of the Year | Shoots: | Right |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Retired |
Dale McCourt (born January 26, 1957) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL split with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1983-84 season. Drafted 1st overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, McCourt stepped into the NHL as a regular for the 1977-78 season and immediately fit right in, leading the Red Wings in points with 72 during his rookie year, while finishing fourth in Calder Trophy voting. In his first four seasons, he led Detroit in scoring three times, while finishing second by two points in the 1978-79 season. His tenure included two 70-point seasons and two 80-point seasons. Before the 1978-79 season, then-GM Ted Lindsay was penalized for signing a restricted free agent from the Los Angeles Kings, and the league ruled the compensation they pay the Kings was McCourt. Entering just his second season at the time, he refused and chose to sue the league, as well as the NHLPA, while continuing to play in Detroit.
In the 1981-82 season, McCourt got off to another strong start, scoring 27 points in the first 26 games and leading the Red Wings at that point. Management felt the former first overall pick had not lived up to expectations and traded him to the Sabres in a six-player deal. McCourt registered 52 points in 62 games with the Sabres, combining for 69 points in 78 games with the two teams. The following season, his run with Buffalo lasted five games before he was picked up off waivers by the Maple Leafs. After registering 43 points in 72 games with Toronto, he chose to leave the NHL in order to continue his career overseas.
McCourt appeared in eight seasons with HC Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss National League, totalling 308 points in 208 games. His number 15 was retired by the team following his retirement from hockey. McCourt transitioned from a playing career to coaching, where he held a multitude of roles all throughout the 1990s.
Dale McCourt Statistics
Deeper Dive
Staff History
- HC Ambrì-Piotta, NLA (Assistant Coach) 1991-1993
- Team Italy, World Cup (Assistant Coach) 1991-1997
- Team Italy, Olympic Games (Assistant Coach) 1994
- SC Bern, NLA (Assistant Coach) 1997-1998
- Berlin Capitals, DEL (Head Coach) 1998-2000
Achievements
- CHL Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player (Stafford Smythe Trophy) (1976)
- OMJHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (William Hanley Trophy) (1976)
- CHL Player of the Year (1977)
- OMJHL Most Outstanding Player (Red Tilson Trophy) (1977)
- OMJHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (William Hanley Trophy) (1977)
- U20 WJC All-Star Team (1977)
- U20 WJC Best Forward (1977)
- U20 WJC Most Assists (8) (1977)
- U20 WJC Most Goals (10) (1977)
- U20 WJC Most Points (18) (1977)
- U20 WJC Silver Medal (1977)