Darren McCarty (born April 1, 1972 in Burnaby,
British Columbia) is a professional ice hockey
player for the Detroit Red Wings. McCarty has been
known more for his fists than his scoring ability,
taking on the role of the Red Wings enforcer most of
his career, a role in which he won three Stanley
Cups in 1997, 1998, and 2002, adding a fourth in
2008 after resurrecting his career in the Red Wings
minor league system.
Drafted in the 2nd round, 46th overall, by the Red
Wings in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, McCarty scored 26
points in his rookie season as the Wings won the
Central Division title. In the 1996–97 NHL season,
McCarty scored a career best 19 goals and 42 points
as the Wings swept the Philadelphia Flyers for their
first Stanley Cup in 42 years. McCarty scored the
Cup-clinching goal in Game 4. This goal, scored on
an inside-outside move around a Flyers` defenseman
and goalie, was honored as one of the best goals of
the year.
From the 1997–98 season until his departure from the
team, McCarty was part of Detroit's famous Grind
Line with center Kris Draper and winger Kirk Maltby,
which was often matched up against the opponent's
top offensive line.
One of McCarty's most infamous moments was in the
famous "Fight Night at the Joe" on March 26, 1997,
where a massive brawl broke out between the Colorado
Avalanche and Red Wings. McCarty fought Avalanche
right winger Claude Lemieux with a blistering punch,
and continued punching Lemieux while Lemieux covered
to avoid damage. McCarty also scored the winning
goal in overtime, a 6-5 Detroit victory.
In the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs, McCarty registered
his first hat trick in Game One of the Western
Conference Finals against the Colorado Avalanche's
Patrick Roy. McCarty scored four goals in the
series, a career best. Detroit won the series and
eventually a third Stanley Cup in six years.
