Darren McCarty is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, and the Flint Generals. He was born on April 1, 1972, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. McCarty started his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Belleville Bulls in 1988. He played for the Bulls for three seasons before being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.
McCarty made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the 1993-94 season and quickly established himself as a tough and physical player. He was known for his fighting skills and his ability to protect his teammates. McCarty played a key role in the Red Wings' success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping the team win four Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.
In addition to his physical play, McCarty was also a skilled player with a good scoring touch. He scored a career-high 19 goals and 42 points in the 1998-99 season and was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 2003. McCarty played for the Red Wings for 11 seasons before being traded to the Calgary Flames in 2005.
McCarty played for the Flames for one season before being released and signing with the Detroit Red Wings again in 2007. He played for the Red Wings for one more season before retiring from professional hockey in 2009. McCarty finished his NHL career with 127 goals, 161 assists, and 1,477 penalty minutes in 758 regular-season games.
After retiring from hockey, McCarty became involved in various business ventures, including a clothing line and a cannabis company. He also wrote a book about his life and hockey career called "My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star."
Throughout his career, McCarty was known for his toughness, physical play, and his ability to protect his teammates. He was a fan favorite in Detroit and was known for his clutch performances in big games. McCarty's contributions to the Red Wings' success during the late 1990s and early 2000s will always be remembered by fans of the team.
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