Former NHL linesman and NOJHL officials supervisor passes away

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is mourning the loss of longtime Greater Sudbury product, Dan McCourt, who passed away Monday following an extended illness.

A member of the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame, McCourt had a distinguished 25-year career as a linesman in the National Hockey League, from 1979 through 2004.

After that, he continued with the NHL, serving as an officiating manager for over a decade.

All the while, McCourt was instrumental in the continued development of the NOJHL officiating program over the past 12 seasons.

From the supervision of game officials to guiding their assignments, he presented direction in their progress throughout each campaign.

That valuable insight into the league referees and those working the lines earned him 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.