He was drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft (and 35th overall in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft by the Indianapolis Racers). 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.