Darren McCarty is a hard-nosed right-winger that loves the camera, the fame, and the glory. He loves the fans and he also loves bone-crushing hockey. He is fearless, Determined, Combative, and Rugged. He will support his teammates to the end. Big Mac has big hockey strength true grit. Not known as a big scorer, when he scored the game-winning cup- clinching goal in the 1997 Stanley Cup final game, his teammates on the bench wondered who crawled into his uniform. Mac started his hockey career with the Belleville Bulls in 1990, and in the 1991-92 season, he led the OHL in goals with 55 goals, 72 assists, 127 points in 65 games. He played one season with the Adirondack Wings before joining the Red Wings as their second choice in the 1992 draft. His NHL debut was against Winnipeg on October 5th , 1993. His first point was an assist against Los Angeles on October 8th. His first goal was on October 21st against Winnipeg. Mac scored his first playoff goal in his NHL playoff debut against San Jose on April 18, 1994. In 1995, Darren had his first two-goal game, and his first two-power play goal game, against Winnipeg. During the 1996-97 season, he achieved his career high of 49 points and finished sixth in overall team scoring. He was fifth on the club with goals (19). As a charter member of the Grind Line that scored three goals in Game 1 of the 1998 playoffs, he set a tough, new Grind Line standard for the playoffs. He had a total of 11 playoff points with 3 goals and 8 assists. He helped to establish an awesome physical presence on the ice that kept playoff opponents off their game, and the Red Wings on to a repeat. Darren, his wife Cheryl, son Griffin, and daughter Emerson live in suburban Detroit. Off-season, he plays in the Red Wings charity softball games, plays an active role in the Make-A-wish foundation and has been honored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for his assistance in Juvenile drug prevention programs. He also enjoys golf. He is the lead singer in his band "Grinder" that participated in a CD to raise funds for the families of Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov. Darren also played rugby in high school.
