Net Worth Ranker
What Is Darren McCarty’s Net Worth?
Darren McCarty, a retired Canadian hockey player and current NHL analyst, has a net worth of $500,000 as of 2025. This figure reflects his earnings from a professional hockey career spanning nearly two decades, subsequent endorsements, and other ventures, offset by financial setbacks experienced post-retirement.
Early Career and NHL Contracts
Darren McCarty’s journey to the NHL began in Burnaby, British Columbia, where he was born on April 1, 1972. His early hockey development took place in Leamington, Ontario, with the Southpoint Capitals minor teams. From 1989 to 1992, he honed his skills with the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League, earning recognition as the league’s top-scoring right winger with the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy. Drafted 49th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, McCarty’s initial contract was valued at $200,000 per year, supplemented by a $200,000 signing bonus. This initial agreement marked the beginning of his professional hockey earnings.
Throughout his 11 years with the Detroit Red Wings, McCarty became an integral part of the team, contributing to four Stanley Cup victories (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008). After the Red Wings released him due to salary cap constraints in 2005, he signed a two-year contract with the Calgary Flames worth $800,000 per year. While specific details regarding endorsement earnings are not available, it’s understood that during his peak playing years, endorsements contributed to his overall income. In 2005, the Detroit Red Wings bought out his contract for $1.7 million.
Career Earnings and Financial Challenges
Over the course of his NHL career, Darren McCarty earned over $17 million in salary and endorsements. Despite this substantial income, McCarty faced significant financial difficulties following his retirement. A few years into retirement, he declared bankruptcy, citing approximately $6 million in debt to various creditors. His bankruptcy filing indicated limited assets, with only $5,000 in the bank and a reported net worth of $50,000 at the time of filing. Post-retirement, McCarty disclosed that he relied on a $636/month NHL pension, supplemented by income from autograph signings and promotional appearances. These financial challenges significantly impacted his overall net worth.
Post-Retirement Ventures and Personal Life
Following his retirement from professional hockey, Darren McCarty explored various ventures. In December 2013, he released his autobiography, “My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star,” and he is the lead singer of the hard rock band Grinder. While revenue generated from these endeavors isn’t specifically quantified, they contribute to his income stream. Darren married Sheryl Sirmons in 2012, and they reside in Clawson, Michigan. He has four children—Griffin, Emerson, Avery, and Gracyn—from his previous marriage. As part of his divorce settlement, his first wife received 75% of his income from February 2005 until his NHL retirement and all the funds in their bank accounts prior to his 2005 bankruptcy filing. He also relinquished ownership of a house initially purchased for $1.3 million. Following his father’s diagnosis of multiple myeloma, McCarty established the McCarty Cancer Foundation to raise funds for cancer research.
