Q&A: Darren McCarty of Detroit Red Wings fame explains how comedy, weed have changed his life

LANSING — Former Detroit Red Wings player Darren McCarty can laugh these days about some of his most disturbing and controversial moments. 

McCarty, 46, played in the National Hockey League for 15 years and struggled with a slew of problems ranging from alcohol addiction to marital strife. 

Known as an on-ice enforcer with a scoring touch, McCarty, who retired in 2009, hits hard in his new career — comedy. 

And during McCarty's stand-up routines, he says nothing is off limits. 

"I'm just a messenger of truth," McCarty said. "Now that I’ve found truth and honesty, and all that shit I can talk about all the money I’ve either lost or blown, or the divorces. 

"There’s nothing that I will not touch."

McCarty's new Slapstick Comedy Tour will make an Oct. 3 stop at the South Lyon Hotel in South Lyon and an Oct. 18 stop at The Loft in downtown Lansing. 

McCarty lives in New Port Richey, Florida, but he visits Michigan often. 

He's been married to his third wife, Sheryl, a neonatal intensive care nurse, since 2012 and has four children and two step-children. They range in age from 14 to 25.

McCarty also holds a medical marijuana card and credits cannabis for helping him find relief from physical and psychological pain. 

McCarty recently spoke with the State Journal about his transition to comedy, his lifestyle changes, the current state of the Red Wings and other topics. 

Q: Why are you now involved in comedy? 

A: To me it’s the best of both worlds because I get to do everything with it, the connection (with people), (Red Wings) fans, and the travel without having to sing a tune or the big production that comes with having a band. Pretty much all you need is a microphone and an audience. Like I’ve said with everyone, to call me a 'comedian,' to use it loosely, is like to call me a 'musician.' We can all agree that I’m an entertainer, and I’ve entertained on the ice. That's what I do. 

Q: What led to this decision? 

A: Everybody who knows me knows I’m not afraid to try new things. It was just really a conversation that came up (with my friend) Jason Douglas ... he called me and was wondering if I had any interest in hosting a couple (comedy shows), and I’m all ears for anything. I’ll listen and see if it works. And I was like 'Yeah, I’ll try that.' So we started out probably about three months ago. Like I told him, ‘If it’s something that makes sense then you’ll know by the time we have our fifth or our 10th one that it’s sort of developed energy on its own. Like I said, it’s the best of both worlds. I get the comic (aspect), bring some guys I’ve made friends with, some comedians we have. I have my own little troupe. It’s just fun to go around, and if you look at our schedule, we’re hitting everywhere in Michigan. I’ve said that you guys, for 15 years or so, came to see me play. You had to travel, even from out of state. Well, now that I’m retired and got things in place, I’ll come to see you. That’s the whole connection.

Q: What type of material do you work with? 

A: I go through some stories and stuff like that. I’m a huge fan of comedy, I’m a fan of other guys that I’m with. I’m just a fan in general. Life is tough enough as it is. I don’t care what you got going on two hours before or two hours after (a show), but for two hours you’re in my world. You’re going to be entertained, and we’re going to take a trip down memory lane.

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Q: You've lived quite a life and were once in a rock band. Any topics from your troubled past that you can laugh about now and use in your shows? 

A: Yeah, survival. We’re all the ... stars of our own movie. I’m 46 now; we’ve all been to what you may call a war of ourselves. And now being through it, my whole purpose is about now. It’s all the other stuff (in the past,) the hockey stuff, the (incidents with the) cops that all led to reasons why someone like yourself would call me and put it out there for people. I'm just a messenger of truth. Now that I’ve found truth and honesty, and all that ..., I can talk about all the money I’ve either lost or blown, or the divorces. My opening line is ‘I want to make sure you’re in the right place.' I’m not No. 19 (Steve) Yzerman or No. 5 (Nicklas Lidstrom) — the perfect human. I’m the imperfect human.’ You need a lawyer? A bankruptcy attorney? An AA sponsor? Need to know where the best bud is to smoke? I’m your guy. You’re in the right place.’ I’m in such a phenomenal place in my mind.

Q: How has medical marijuana changed your life? 

A: I went to a stoner (high) school. I didn’t smoke because I was one of the jocks, but I got along with everybody. I could not stand (marijuana). I thought it was the devil’s lettuce. I thought that if you did it you wouldn’t be able to play hockey. So I had my sports hernia surgery in 1999, my first one, and ended up later having three of them. But I had the first one and saw how (doctors) shove in you all these medications. I never liked pills. I never liked the way they made me feel. I couldn’t sleep. I developed a sleep disorder and a bit of insomnia. I drank to go to sleep and shut down. That wasn't the way to live. Then a buddy of mine said 'Try this, smoke this.' I smoked weed for the first time and I knew it was different. I could sleep. 

Q: Is it tough to see the Red Wings struggling these days? 

A: It is. I tell everybody the game has changed. So please don’t ask me to correlate the current game to my game (from the 1990s, early 2000s). As a fan and as a hockey purist (I think differently than others). What you have to do with this Red Wing team when they are struggling is think the way I do. You can’t watch the team, you watch the players. And you watch players and you can really say ‘Oh wow! There is some development in some guys!' You look at the draft picks they got this year. For Filip Zadina to drop in the first round, that's great. This is a legitimate 40, 50-goal guy. He's like Steven Stamkos, Alexander Ovechkin-type of pure shooter, and that's what the Wings need. And then you got Joe Veleno who drops down to the 30th pick; he will be your Kris Draper for the next 10, 12 years — with more offensive upside than (Draper) had. The team is moving in the right direction. I'm excited.  

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

Darren McCarty's Slapstick Comedy Tour

The 46-year-old former Detroit Red Wings' enforcer will travel to several cities in Michigan this fall and perform comedy shows with professional entertainers. The tour includes stops in Lansing, South Lyon and Kalamazoo. Ticket prices may vary. For information about shows, venues and dates visit facebook.com/DarrenMcCartyTour or call (586) 218-8745.