In a tragic turn of events today, long-time NHL referee and nephew of Leafs legend George Armstrong, has sadly passed away at the age of 70. A popular National Hockey League referee, member of the Greater Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame, and colorfully charismatic personality who was never short on smiles, <a href='https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/dan-mccourt-passes-away-skead-resident-was-nhl-official-greater-sudbury-sports-hall-of-famer' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>died Tuesday following an extended illness</a> at the age of 70. <h3>Dan McCourt's career as a referee spanned several decades</h3> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1881732139529425315'> </a></blockquote></div> Proud Skead resident, Dan McCourt parlayed his playing days into a 25-year career as an NHL linesman, working games from 1979 to 2004. He continued working as an NHL officiating manager for more than a dozen years after hanging up his gear. McCourt was part of one of Greater Sudbury's most famous hockey families. Brother Dale starred in the Ontario Hockey League, played in more than 500 games in the NHL, and enjoyed a successful overseas career in Switzerland. Their uncle, George Armstrong, is a Hall of Famer who captained the Toronto Maple Leafs the last time they won the Stanley Cup, in 1967. <h3>Dan McCourt spoke at George Armstrong's ceremony recently</h3> <a href='https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/arena-in-garson-renamed-in-honour-of-hockey-legend-george-armstrong/#:~:text=The%20arena%20in%20Garson%20has,Armstrong%20Community%20Centre%20and%20Arena.' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>McCourt spoke last fall during ceremonies naming the Garson Arena in honor of Armstrong</a>, the George Armstrong Community Centre, and Arena. Outside of the NHL, McCourt was also a valued contributor to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, lending his expertise as a key member of the officials' supervisory staff. May Dan rest in peace, and we offer our deepest and most profound condolences to his entire family and friends, during this very difficult period of time.