My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star

by Kevin Allen, Kevin Allen

Looking back on a memorable career, Darren McCarty recounts his time as one of the most visible and beloved members of the Detroit Red Wings as well as his personal struggles with addiction, finances, and women and his daily battles to overcome them. As a member of four Red Wings’ Stanley Cup–winning teams, McCarty played the role of enforcer from 1993 to 2004 and returning again in 2008 and 2009. His “Grind Line” with teammates Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby physically overmatched some of the best offensive lines in the NHL, but he was more than just a brawler: his 127 career goals included several of the highlight variety, including an inside-out move against Philadelphia in the clinching game of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. As colorful a character as any NHL player, he has arms adorned with tattoos, and he was the lead singer in the hard rock band Grinder during the offseason. Yet this autobiography details what may have endeared him most to his fans: the honest, open way he has dealt with his struggles in life off the ice. Whether dealing with substance abuse, bankruptcy, divorce, or the death of his father, Darren McCarty has always seemed to persevere.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2014

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn on giving this book two or three stars, but I really have to give it two based on the entirety of this book.
I understand that McCarty is doing his best to be as honest as possible in this memoir, but I really ended up disliking him through reading this.
The best passages of this book occur when he is sharing his memories of other players during the better runs of his career. As others have mentioned, the bits of horsing around with other famous Wings are fun to read about.
I appreciate that he is being open about his addiction disease, and I think that it's important he's sharing his troubles -- maybe some readers will identify with it; it might help them.
For me, however, I was really disgusted with certain parts -- like his stating he never spent as much on drugs or gambling as he did giving away his money. He states he probably gave away at least $1 million to friends and family, including his regrettable "loans" to unsavory characters. I get the feeling these people didn't think they were loans at the time and at the very least I don't think a multi-millionaire should expect to get all that cash back. He also seems to regret giving $10K to his serious girlfriend's parents.
It all just seems a bit delusional to me.
Perhaps I expected too much, and I never was much of a McCarty fan, but this book disappointed me. I really expected a bit more maturity. Instead I got an entire chapter on his problems with monogamy right after a chapter on how he met his wife. CLASSY.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, as a fan of the Detroit Red Wings during late 90's-early 00's, I knew that I had to read this book once I read it would be published. I slogged through Don Cherry's memoirs last year and, sadly, had to slog through this book as well. One thing I have found to be true about reading sports memoirs, is that the editing is far lighter that it needs to be and perhaps no one wants to tells someone who knocked people out for a living that their chapters are disjointed?

Okay, Darren, I love you, but your chapters were disjointed.

There were a lot of passages in this book that was Darren explaining why he came to the end that he has. He wants us to know that he didn't go bankrupt gambling or doing drugs and I guess that's good. I didn't really judge him for going bankrupt because stuff happens. I think he vilified some members of his family more than is prudent to put in print if you share children. There were some really cool insights on what it was like to be in the Wings dressing room during the Stanley Cup years and a little bit of fun info about life on the road (and about how he almost threw Steve Yzerman out of a hotel window).

If you are a big fan of the Wings during this period, I think you'll see some value to the book, but otherwise, it's probably not worth the time.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book is about a hockey player who just made the NHL. In his rookie year he wasn't noticed by anybody, but as the years went by he started to get better and better. But then he started to turn in to a goon. He got in many fights, and that's what his talent is. He was one of the best NHL fighters in the league.

He won every fight he got in to. But people kept fighting him and fighting him. There was no way he could lose a fight. But in his last year of his hockey career, and on his last game. He got in to a fight his last hockey fight. And it was the best fight he had ever had. Everybody stood up and cheered as he went to the penalty box. After the game the NHL officials announced his retirement, The crowd applauded him for being such a great player.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas present given to my husband. I read it in one day! Being a huge Red Wings fan, I really couldn't put it down. I was not very surprised with the addiction and womanizing, but what made me sad was very few references to his children. It felt like they had been abandoned. Maybe not, maybe he just could not delve into that part of his life... I hope. I don't think I would like to read his ex-wife's autobiography!

[Isabel clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed it for the dirt on my hags truthfully

[Nicholas Maclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas party gift and honestly not something I would’ve normally picked up, but I’m glad I did. It turned out to be a solid read that dives deep into Darren’s hockey career and the real-life impact his addictions had on both his professional and personal life.

The stories are what really make the book. If you’re into old-school hockey, you’ll get plenty of classic fight stories, wild team parties, and behind-the-scenes moments from his playing days. He talks about his time with Grinder, a legendary five-day bender with Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society, and of course his role in winning four Stanley Cups. Nothing feels sugar-coated—it’s raw, honest, and very much first-person.

What stood out most was how open Darren is about the highs and the lows. You get a real look at the grind of being an enforcer, the culture around hockey at the time, and how that lifestyle can bleed into life off the ice.

Red Wings fan or not, this book gives you an inside view of one of the most feared and respected enforcers in Detroit history. Definitely worth the read, especially if you appreciate hockey stories that don’t hold back.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is not written well and a bit sloppy. Darren is not a professional writer and has had little experience otherwise. I, as a fan, am, of course, bias, but I liked the book. I found it easy to get past the style knowing the author's lack of writing history.
I think it important to know these guys we idolize and cheer on are not always the heroes and angles we make them out to be. The book was brutally honest. Darren shows us what is like to live in the life pro athletes are exposed to with or without addiction. They don't necessarily deserve sympathy, which Darren alludes to.
Altogether I liked the story and am glad Darren is doing well based on what Iread.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably actually a 3-star, but because you can tell it's actually DMac telling his stories much more than ghost writing, it gets a slight bump. Stories were kind of what I expected from what I thought I knew of the guy, you kind of feel bad for him in places. At the same time, you don't, because as he says a lot of it was his own doing. Having met him in person, the care really shows. One of the nicest athletes I've met. Keep on trucking DMac, you deserve the good that comes.

[Geoffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Wish this guy would get his life together, but understand his challenges. It takes a special person to be an NHL enforcer. I think there is some PTSD involved here that is never addressed, as well as brain damage. I love played the sport, love the sport, but this aspect of it is not my favorite - even though I support fighting's role in the sport. Must read for a hockey fan.

[Jeffrey Shrigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in under 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down and Darren gives you the true story of his life. The highs and the lows the goods and the bads. It tells about his music career with grinder and some of the bad decisions he made in life. It details the events of one of the greatest nights in hockey and why Darren is loved by so many in Detroit.

[Kristin Leppen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Darren McCarty when he played for the Red Wings. I love his honesty about his life and his struggles with substance abuse. I had a hard time putting it down. If you love hockey and you love learning about the people behind the numbers this is a great book! I wish Darren the best in his future endeavors and in his fight against addiction!!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book for Red Wing fans and fans of McCarty. I enjoyed all the anecdotes about the Wings, which was the reason I wanted the book. But the chapters on his addiction and falling down and getting back up were interesting. He was very honest about jt all. I knew a lot from the media, so it was cool to read his side of it all.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains good anecdotes that Wings fans will enjoy. Hockey content all fans will enjoy. Promise of full honesty is fulfilled. Surprisingly not a ton written about his addictions despite the book being titled after his battle for sobriety (or something close). This is a really fast read, entertaining, but nothing spectacular. Definitely recommend to fans.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a hockey fan, but I've met Darren a couple times at indie wrestling shows, so I had to read it. The man has had a wild life and I hope he writes a second and talks about his cbd line and his time in pro wrestling.

[Thom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insights into the behind the scenes of the 90's and 2000's Red Wings and Mac's struggle with addiction.

[Richard Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read about life of addiction and a little insight on hockey life. Very entertaining read. Would recommend. Thank you

[Steve Sartorius · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy to read book about former Detroit Red Wings player Darren McCarty's life, career, and struggles with alcohol and addiction. As a fan of the Red Wings and also of his gritty play on the ice, I really enjoyed this book! He is very open and honest about his shortcomings and how his fight is continuing to this day. Many stories about his life growing up and in hockey, his band Grinder, and how his current wife helps keep him grounded. Good read especially for fans of the Detroit Red Wings!

[Jamie Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was an entertaining read, McCarty's love for himself is a bit overwhelming at times. In fact, it seems like the epilogue was included just so McCarty could tell us that people think his book is pretty awesome. If he could have toned down the self love a bit, I would have given the book four stars.

[Damon Lively · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give McCarty a lot of respect for his honesty in this book. The difference from some - is that you get the sense McCarty is trying to expel his demons – is honest he still has challenges each day – and (to a point) share so others might learn a bit in their own struggles. I’m not saying he is a saint – but I felt a lot more honesty and forthcoming here. Actually – you leave McCarty at the end of the book realizing his life is vastly different and (maybe) even more humbled now. He certainly has paid some prices along the way (many will say he deserves it). No doubt he is still flawed. Knowing he has family that has been impacted through the years – it might have been in addition to elaborate on areas such as his kids or the relationships (good or bad) impacted along the way. Yet – I ask myself too – what does that do beyond opening up his pain/ issues at the expense of my nosiness to know. I think McCarty is a good read because he had a storied career when you consider things like the Grind Line, Cup Winning (amazing) goal, Championships, famous fights, and other hockey moments – yet he was flawed, alcoholic, druggy, poor husband, poor father, etc. So you root for him – but admonish him at the same time. I think we might all agree that we prefer to see McCarty rise up and live well beyond those years. As opposed to the outcome of let’s say - Probert. Anyone “surprised” or turned away by the details of this book clearly was looking through fuzzy glasses during McCarty’s hay day. These stories are not completely new. At least McCarty appears to acknowledge his past and strive for a fair future. I wish him the best.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first introduction to McCarty was his beatdown of Cam Russel during an exhibition game in Chicago. As a Hawk fan, I naturally had to despise our rival's new enforcer and McCarty's showboating and celebrating after fight wins made it easy to hate him. As the years went on, I grew to respect his fighting skills as an "undersized" heavyweight. His book has some interesting moments, including insight into the Claude Lemieux revenge attack, plenty of personal details(too many?), and pulls few punches. But overall, it is underwhelming and McCarty comes off as hard to root for.
Darren lived the cliched rags to riches(back to rags) story of many pro athletes. His sudden wealth and fame led to a life where alcohol abuse and womanizing became all too easy and excused by nearly everyone around him. McCarty details his rise and fall earnestly, though seems to deflect all the blame for his failings. He cheated on all his girlfriends and wives, but he makes it sound like it's the puck whores fault and not his. He jeopardized(and surely negatively affected his hockey career) by drinking and smoking weed constantly, but he rationalizes it as acceptable due to his stressful role as an NHL enforcer and his addictive personality.
Avid Wings fans will forgive his shortcomings and probably enjoy this book. Everyone else will find the tale somewhat disjointed, mildly repetitive, and lacking sought after info about Probert, Yzerman, and other Detroit glitterati. The book is an easy read, with some fun moments, but overall comes off as a miss for me.

[Joe Michalak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darren McCarty was definitely one of my hockey playing idols growing up in Detroit. He was a part of the tough guys in Detroit among my first memories of watching the team. He's a Hockeytown Hero for his corrective actions towards Claude Lemieux leading to the infamous "turtle" event, but he also had a penchant towards scoring big goals, despite not being a 20 goal scorer most, if not all of his playing career.

He was also a Rockstar off of the ice, in the literal sense - playing with his band Grinder (a reference to the grind line), and living the lifestyle. This book focuses about 75/25 on the challenges brought on due to his drug and alcohol addiction vs. the hockey aspect, as well as some of the financial troubles he experienced through divorce and generosity (but, surprisingly not drugs and gambling).

The book's strong point is exploring DMac's internal dialogue about the living in the lifestyle, and being human enough to admit the fun he was having at the time, while also being able to reflect with maturity about the challenges brought on by the lifestyle he was living, as well as the challenge of his corrective actions related to that.

All of that said, the Red Wings stories are definitely worth it, too. I will admit that if it was any other player, this book would be a 3.5; I would round it down to a 3 for some of the songs referenced (as well as the rock star/song quote cliché), but there is half a star for DMac #25; and half a star bonus for Darren McCarty the person. The book is certainly worth a read!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Last Fight..... this is a great book, My last fight starts of with Darren mccarty who was the main character in the book and he played for the detroit red wings and he won four stanley cups with them as a enforcer from 1993 to 2004. With his hockey career darren had to overcome many adversities in life for example, he had many addiction problems and he trouble with financial issues and lastly women. in darren's life he had to put aside all the problems by overcoming them and he then found a profession of hockey which turned his life right around. To add on, darren played with the detroit red wings as I said along side kris draper and kirt maltby and they were called the "Grind LIne" because they were known as the typical 4th liners and they were so powerful for detroit they sometimes take over other teams star lines and this was very critical in hockey because if you have four solid lines your team must be doing very well. As great of a character darren mccarty was he was also involved in band caled hard rock band and he was the lead singer of the band which had been preforming during offseason. Futhermore, darren mccarty had to deal with many overcoming substances in life but one thing that darren had that many others didn't was the perseverence in any thing he did. To conclude, I thought that this book tought me many lessons in life but the one big lesson it taught me was to never give up.

[Nestor Rychtyckyj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very honest and brutal book where Darren McCarty gives his life story. As a life-long Red Wing fan I always felt that McCarty's beatdown of Claude Lemioux was one of the biggest moments in Red Wing history and led to the Wings becoming the championship team that won 4 Stanley Cups. But Darren McCarty is much more than a hockey player - he is a human being whose very public battles with alcoholism and addiction always seemeed to be part of the Detroit spoorts landscape. He does not make any excuses for his behaviior - he's straight to the point and opens his life up on these pages - the Cups, the great stories of the Wings, the rock & roll lifestyle with his band - Grinder and of course his bankruptcy and many other problems. Thankfully, he has taken control of his life and hopefully some TV or radio station will give hime the opportunity to do what he does best - talk about hockey.

This book is for more than Red Wing or hockey fans - it gives us an insight into the life of a professional athlete whose few years of glory are often followed by many years of physical hardship and pain. The next time I'm at the Joe and look up at the 4 Stanley Cup banners that #25 helped bring to Detroit - it's well worth remembering the struggles he has endured and hope that he will have won his "last Fight" as he won so many others....

[Jack Woodcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for the avid wings fan, or anyone who is interested in a great athlete and the struggles of what some athletes go through. This book is an autobiography of the Detroit Red Wings Enforcer(1992-2004), Darren Mccarty. Darren is considered one of the most skilled tough guys to ever play. This book follows the path through his life revolving around hockey and his greatest victories and hardest struggles throughout his life. This book sets the tone for the macho manly sports fan with its action and competition, but also pulls on the emotions of the heart causing not empathy but understanding of the reality in which he lived. This book has a very positive outlook instead of being an “oh poor me book”. It shows how one person has overcome much and lives his life to the best of his ability. The book is not a tough read at all and flows moderately well. I would recommend this book to teenage or older readers due to some graphic and explicit content. This book is great for the sports fan or just the average reader.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a Red Wings fan. I am a Darren McCarty fan.
It is possible I rated this one lower because I am sad that McCarty has not managed to slay all his demons.

The passages about the Red Wings/Avalanche rivalry brought me right back to that time period. I remember watching EVERYTHING he writes about. The anecdotes that he has about his teammates were amusing. I wish he would have delved into his personal fights as deeply as he did his professional ones.

It makes me sad that McCarty thinks that his life would have been so different had he not lost all his male role models. I wish he could see that he could be his own mentor. Reading between the lines I get the sense that he feels the women in his life, save for his current wife Sheryl, have let him down...and that is a shame.

I compare this one to Theo Fleury's memoir, Playing with Fire, and it doesn't quite measure up. It may just well be that McCarty hasn't faced all that he needs to ....yet.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most honest books I have read in a long time. DMac has been my favorite players forever & has had a very public life. Hockey fans from the late 90s & 2000s will go down memory lane with all the players on the Wings rosters. I could hear him telling the story as I read it, very engaging. I met him 6 yrs ago at an autograph session at Eastbrook mall. There were not many in line & I was teary eyed cause a dog we had adopted had run away after I left the house for the mall. He asked what was wrong & I explained the story. He replied 'she will come back, dont worry'. He meant it with his heart, I will always remember his charisma, and how sweet his is to his fans. I have a picture of him & I that I treasure. Very highly recommended book for any NHL fan!

[Nathan Eckel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a Red Wings fan for decades and I grew up watching their farm team, the Adirondack Red Wings as my hometown team growing up in upstate New York. I was fun to read Darren McCarty's story and he lends some unique insights into being an NHL enforcer. The book reads like your sitting down with Darren and just talking. He's very candid about his struggles in life as well as his victories. I was hoping to read more about the Colorado rivalry. But I suppose that chapter of Darren's life was just that; a chapter in a long series of other things that were just as important to him. I'm glad I read it and I'm glad that #25 seems happy.

[Daniel Westman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would give some insight in how the big red machine managed to win so many Stanley Cups in the 90's and 00's. In addition to that I anticipated that McCarty would reveal details about some of the great players of that era, i.e. Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidström and Bob Probert.

Unfortunately, the book falls short in both areas. Instead McCarty feeds us dull stories mostly about pranks and his own shortcomings.

Instead of reading this book I suggest you watch the "The Last Gladiators" which is a great documentary that focuses on Montreal's enforcer Chris Nilan.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely, painfully honest account of DMac's life. This isn't a tell all about hockey and he says as much. There are some great insights into the team though, often very funny and personal. I admire him for bringing everything out into the open, he is a fighter, a warrior and let's hope he stays the winner we know and love him to be.

[Edmond Gagnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for the Probert book when someone lent me this one. I liked it.
McCarty holds no punches back in telling his life story.
I'm not a really big hockey fan but enjoyed reading about the behind the scenes camaraderie of a great hockey team. You do have to shake your head at the throngs of women who throw themselves at athletes in general.
A good and easy read.