Darren McCarty

Canadian professional player Darren McCarty currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League. Returning to the team in 2008, McCarty is a fan favorite in Detroit, having played there for 11 years from 1993 to 2004.

Fast Facts

1. Born: April 1, 1972
2. Birthplace: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
3. Position: Right Wing
4. Shoots: Right
5. Three time Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings
6. Member of the Detroit Red Wings "Grind Line" with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby
7. Scored the Stanley Cup Championship winning goal for the Detroit Red Wings in 1997
8. Founded the McCarty Cancer Foundation in 1997
9. Plays for the band Grinder during the off-season
10. Filed bankruptcy in 2006

Early Career

Prior to his NHL career McCarty joined the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League in 1989. He was drafted 46th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1992, making his NHL debut in 1993.

Good Times

McCarty was involved in the Brawl in Hockeytown, a huge on-ice fight between the Wings and the Colorado Avalanche on March 26, 1997. McCarty won a total of three Stanley Cup Championships with the Wings over the next decade, in 1997, 1998 and 2002. He scored the game winning goal in game four of the 1997 Stanley Cup finals, leading the Wings to the championship.

Bad Times

McCarty was released by the Wings and signed with the Calgary Flames in 2005. He spent parts of the next two seasons in Calgary. He struggled with personal issues over that time period, which included filing for bankruptcy in 2006.

Back to Detroit

Late in the 2007-2008 season McCarty called on his good friend Kris Draper for some help getting back into the league. Draper helped McCarty get a contract with the Flint Generals where he improved his skills and led to his re-signing with the Detroit Red Wings on February 25, 2008.

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