Dale McCourt

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Dale McCourt (born January 26, 1957 in Falconbridge, Ontario, Canada) is a former NHL ice hockey forward. Dale began his junior hockey career with the Hamilton Red Wings in 1973-74. Two years later he was the team captain of the 1976 Memorial Cup Champion Hamilton Fincups. In 1977 he led the team to the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. He was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as Most Outstanding Player in the OHA, and voted CHL Player of the Year for his efforts. Dale was also awarded the William Hanley Trophy as the OHA's Most Sportsmanlike Player two consecutive years (1975-76,1976-77).

He was drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft. When Red Wings GM Ted Lindsay signed Los Angeles Kings goalie Rogatien Vachon, an NHL arbitrator made his infamous ruling that Dale McCourt should be the compensation paid the Kings for Vachon's loss. But McCourt refused to report to the Kings. The matter was resolved and McCourt remained in Detroit but his play never progressed after his solid rookie year. In later seasons, he would be playing for the Buffalo Sabres. His brother Dan was an NHL linesman during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Preceded by Rick Green	NHL First Overall Draft Pick 1977	Succeeded by Bobby Smith
Preceded by Paul Woods	Detroit Red Wings captains 1979-80	Succeeded by Errol Thompson Reed Larson
Preceded by Peter Lee	CHL Player of the Year 1977	Succeeded by Bobby Smith