Exclusive Interview with Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux - 2022

This exclusive interview with 4X Stanley Cup Champion Darren McCarty and 4X Stanley Cup Champion Claude Lemieux talk about the beginning of the greatest rivalry in sports history, and where they are 25 years later. Hear their side of the story
Thanks to #woodwardsports and their crew for all of their hard work on the production!
Check out Darren everyday on his show "Big D Energy" from 11-1PM EDT Mon-Friday on Woodward Sports!

[@Pinck1964]

The boys are past their tiff, embrace it. Total respect both ways and it's awesome. 👍

[@toddjohnson271]

It's hockey.....real hockey.

[@Stevedrums741]

I met Claude once (briefly) because a friend of mine was a true Devils fan and I'm a Rangers fan. I happily told him how miserable he made my life going against the Rangers as both a Canadian and a Devil. His reply was a gracious and funny "I'm pleased!". Probably a very nice guy. A legend. Say what you want about the man, he's a winner.

[@viresproductions]

The smirk by Darren at 36:58 when asked "some people think you deserved that, what do you think?" is everything because Darren AND Claude both know he deserved it

[@jaymiller6009]

There is no doubt that he definitely deserved it. The "unwritten rule" in hockey dictates that if a guy has something coming to him, he has to take it- but then it is done at that point. That's why Claude Lemieux stood up for himself and didn't just take the beating in their second go. I was actually really surprised by how well he handled himself in the second scrap.

[@viresproductions]

@@jaymiller6009 very true, he held his ground in the 2nd fight immediately after the puck dropped but I guarantee he had that game circled for months and had it all planned out lol plus he is a tough SOB at the end of the day

[@hippy1002]

@@jaymiller6009 Hey Jay, Ronnie Stern sends his love ( I am in Vancouver) I was waiting for him to win one against you, didn't happen; but nonetheless he always showed up. Under rated player/grinder scrapper

[@promoteupro]

Props to Claude for doing this and it really shows how strong the brotherhood of hockey is. I met him about 15 years ago at the rink where our sons were sharing ice and he was very gracious. That game will never be topped in my lifetime. Let's go Red Wings!!

[@michaelfisher3468]

I saw Claude on an episode of pro's VS Joe's. Claude bloodied up the poor Joe 👊

[@bosprocket]

@@michaelfisher3468 "dat guy, he gonna bleed" and he did!!!

[@aarontorres3888]

Much respect for both of these guys

[@tonyheitsman4728]

Loved this. Claudes record is hall worthy

[@johnsambo9379]

Claude is a scumball.

[@mangrove]

Claude's point about leaving things on the ice reminds me of how Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer talked about leaving the Bad Boys stuff on the court. Being older myself, I respect that.

[@williamkanejr3233]

You bring up the Bad Boys, and being a Boston fan, I remember those days being a kid of 10 to 14 years old during that era, I HATED the Pistons back then. Today, being 46 years old, I look back at that era a lot differently. I still am a Boston sports fan 100%, but to hear how the Bad Boys talked about how they thought of the Celtics as “great teachers”, and how they wouldn’t be what they were had they not had to face the Celtics, I have a more of a begrudging respect for them than I did at the time. Probably the only team IN SPORTS that I both hate and don’t respect, is the Canadiens.

[@nancetardiff339]

@@williamkanejr3233 You actually don't respect the great Canadiens? You got 24 very good reasons for that

[@williamkanejr3233]

@@nancetardiff339nope. Not in the least.

[@HS-tg1qx]

Claude Lemieux is a badass! Fought everyone and scored greatest goals on top of it. King Claude!

[@petsur]

It sure is good to see these two guys sit down and share memories. Excellent interview.

[@gordiemeow]

Never would have expected this! Too cool to watch- I was born in 97, so it's great to learn about how things were then. Thanks for doin' this interview and posting it, Big Mac!

[@Tom-V]

Thank you E60 for introducing me to these players. I'm more interested in hockey now

[@johnm1720]

Wasn't a Lemieux fan back then but this was nice to see.

[@eddievonb.7463]

I still get goosebumps when I watch that game...without that game, we may not have won the Stanley Cup. Everything turned for the better after that game...seems like yesterday! "The Turtle" signed by Darren hangs proudly in my man cave.

[@haroldcheeseburger]

And Darren is about the nicest guy a guy could meet.

[@DetroitWrecker666]

"We"

[@RobKandell]

As good as McCarty was with the knuckles, he was pretty damn handy with the puck. I’ll never forget that goal he scored in Gm 4 of the 1997 Cup Final. It was the Cup clincher. :-)

[@freeplax17]

Awesome, Pepe was one of my all-time favorite Hockey players, Darren good luck on your new endeavors I'll be on the lookout for your product!!!!

[@pepelopez9301]

Respect for this big guys.... greetings from Slovakia

[@pattyg4899]

the nostalgia is real. what a bunch of lads

[@celticwarrior6349]

Soo nice McCarty/Lemiuxe mend fences...hockey lingo...much respect too both...

[@giuseppecareri2242]

It's so great to watch these two greats bury the hatchet and have this sit down but I'm not surprised because that's hockey for you the grestest sport in the world with the best characters...

[@jamescain7287]

D Mac is a true hero!!

[@Salvatore1268]

The rematch fight in November 1997, did mccarthy ask if Lemieux wanted a rematch and a chance for redemption

[@markmoffett1919]

I haven't even watched it yet and I already like it LOL

[@whotrynaball]

This was awesome . I think I can say I do not hate the person Claude lemeiux anymore actually seems like a decent dude

[@hippy1002]

Umm.. I hate to agree,, but yeah. I hated him back in the day. One of the greatest clutch players in NHL History

[@april4657]

Darren, there's a KZbin channel called Awood40 that makes Red Wing highlight videos (new and old) it'd be a great segment for you to react/tell the story behind one of those games.

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

Shhh

[@marcstov]

I didn't think it would, but this made me happy. Something about old age :)

[@redwing19682007]

A fine Leamington boy! Tomato town rules! Great interview.

[@toddjohnson271]

Red Wings fan......hate the Avs. Why? They were tough, and great. They hated Wings....why? They were tough, and great. It was an amazing time for hockey.

[@Weeping_Somnambulist]

Best hockey feud in my lifetime. Going on 42 yrs old.

[@DuecePiece]

As a lifelong Wings fan, and growing up with this rivalry as a kid, I absolutely hated Lemieux. Now, as an adult, I absolutely respect his game. The man was an animal and an absolute legend. Made the rivalry the best moments in hockey history, these two guys are hockey personified! 🤘❤️

[@arkwill14]

Now can we get a interview with Sean Avery and Martin Brodeur -- or one with Tie Domi and Ulf Samuelsson?

[@nymike06]

Wow! That would be wild!

[@toddstarks226]

This would be like Rocky and Drago sitting down decades later and discussing Drago’s hit on Apollo.

[@pappyschmears]

Claude is a warrior. Born so. Easy to hate. Easy to push aside. He's a Champion. A Stanley Cup Champion . Not once but multiple times. I hate him and i love him. Claude...I fucking love what you did and the person you are on this ice. Thank you.

[@pauloscar2359]

i did see the game LIVE amazing ! two great players, Although, I did think Lemieux was 'mean' (little bias here since I was a red wing big fan) one back then when the rivalry was huge, maybe anabolic steroids + adrenaline rush = makes on mean, great player. nevertheless, a great interview all the best to you guys! and I see now (base on this interview) and Lemieux is being older now - see how humble personality he has and professional!

[@semmcstevenson]

These guys are awesome.

[@Monaayy29]

Here after watching unrivaled

[@jasonholland7653]

The greatest rivalry there will ever be

[@IntoTheWildFlyFishing]

Nope. You obviously are new to hockey. Quebec vs Montreal. The old Wings and Hawks. The Battle of Alberta. Etc etc etc. No way, dude. Learn hockey.

[@Godlovewalker]

Yo Darren McCarty bro I am huge biggest fan of on nhl on early years

[@trisgilmour]

Amazing 🤩

[@DougRG]

Hated Mac (and all Wings) for a lot of years. Glorious days of raging hockey. Love this conversation. Very cool to see these fellas embrace it for what it was but move on and enjoy life, and it seems even an odd friendship, having left it on the ice. Good stuff. Thanks for the memories.

[@richo8475]

Great video. I now really like Claude. Gentleman.

[@CoreySosner]

Claude’s a HOF go look at what he did when he was in MTL

[@ianschroth6575]

He absolutely should be in the hall.

[@mangrove]

It's funny that Claude's son Brendan (named after Shanny!) has a small connection to the rivalry. He was a baby in his dad's arms when Scotty cussed and hollered at Claude from the bus after game 3.

[@pavelpribylovsky4092]

Claude comes off as a total gentleman. Love Darren.

[@MrSonordrumr]

As an Avs fan, i think Claude stood up for the actions against his team and reacted appropriately in the same. I think Claude is still a great guy, Ive met him, and i wonder what Darren McCarty is on. Even though thier was respect it still seemed like McCarty was on something...just opinion, feel free to change my mind or roast me, dont care! Go Avs!

[@KCG189]

Looks like he's been drinkin

[@randybedker1584]

Great video.

[@zeno328]

claude is my favorite! #22 #connsmythe

[@wrathofkaneeighty8]

Two 🐐🐐

[@DetroitWrecker666]

VERY coo!

[@sappyjohnson]

A lot of respect for Lemieux.

[@RobKandell]

As much as I hated Lemieux at the time, I have to say the the fans that were threatening to take matters into their own hands were seriously out of line. (I even thought so at the time.) It’s a game, and the consequences come from the game. Let the players handle it. That’s what they’re paid to do. (You bet your ass I was cheering Mac on.) All we do is watch, and he made the game very entertaining to watch for a long period of time. Claude walked his path with integrity. Respect.

[@smokie.87]

I haven't heard one apology

[@MPDLR]

If Niklas Lidstrom's face got hit with a shovel over and over again I think that would look like Claude Lemeiux

[@j-rey-]

Oh my God, I was trying to figure out for 15 minutes why he looked so "familiar" even though I know who he is 😂

[@Human_Evolution-]

Draper should have been there too. Interesting stuff.

[@spoileralert3486]

Claude will always be a chump. F him and his dirty move on Draper. McCarty is a stud and will always be a legend. Love ya Darren #25.

[@nathanhoward3341]

No Darren is full of himself. He's not an angel and nor is your evil ass coach.

[@Peezster]

Claude's audio is kinda annoying

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

I still have the urge to attack Claude when I see him. This is like when Osgood and Roy sat down. Maybe if the guys have moved on I should too.

[@zonkerharris1144]

O my Gawd. LEGENDS. RU kidding Me?!

[@WilliamCChapin]

Mr. Lamieux, please continue to look after the interests of Moritz Seider!

[@Sparty1986]

The sound engineer needs to be fired. The sound on this clip is terrible!

[@timmygressler7468]

Agree , pissing me off

[@CoreySosner]

Right !!!!

[@trisgilmour]

Exactly

[@ejohnson880]

100%

[@j-rey-]

They don't know how to talk into the mics. Lemieux is the worst at it, with his head moving back and forth

[@hippy1002]

Under rated tough guy: Darren Langdon

[@paulseibert8598]

This EXPLAINS THE RIVAL. DONE

[@canbest7668]

Claude Lemieux is looking a little like Sting

[@Jamesthevampire7172]

0:04.

[@thomaspawlak9459]

Has Kris Draper ever sat down and shot the shit with Claude?

[@jayhopkins6990]

It was called Canadian football not American we're going to get 3 Downs we didn't need 4 to move the ball

[@Nhamp2000]

Personally I don't care about Lemieux and McCarty are BFF'S now. A lot of ex players who fought each other on the ice reminisce and laugh. The issue is that Lemieux broke Kris Draper's face on a vicious cheap shot. Has he ever reached out to Draper to apologize? In the Unrivaled documentary, he says he wished he could've taken it back. It's one thing to say that at a reunion love fest, it's another to approach the guy you blasted.

[@nathanhoward3341]

So did McCarty ever apology for his cheap shot. No. So shut the f up 😮

[@justinfendelet8675]

Nothing like playing minor hockey in the 80s and getting crushed from behind retrieving the puck ....today's game is completely ruin by goalie equipment....pics don't lie

[@jamesp2333]

McCarty should change his hairdo. Looks like a transient

[@ejohnson880]

avs fan, hated mccarty....now love him

[@balor7]

The interviewer was terrible. Interrupting at all the wrong times.

[@sabrepax9012]

And not being able to figure which hockey team Claude grew up loving... Obviously Canadiens de Montréal

[@ryanszymoniak3307]

This interviewer should shut up and let them talk.

[@democrattears9247]

Couldn’t take him face to face… Bite the curb Detroit, I SAID BITE IT! Now say good night…

[@IntoTheWildFlyFishing]

I love Dmac and everything he's done for the Wings. The guy had a tough road back to normalcy. But, I cannot stand Claude. It's disgusting to let him sit and tell people that his dirty hit on Draper was just "finishing his check" and that his career he just played hard. The entire NHL world knows he was one of the cheapest pieces on shit to ever play the game. If you're a cheap POS, at least be honest and open about it. Don't sit there and act like you were just some grinder. He also cheapshotted small guys and ran from bigger players. You'd never see this coward run Probert, Simon, Boogaard or Laraque like that. Claude ran from Domi and other fighters his whole career. Own up to it.

[@DV_Dark_Jedi]

I absolutely HATED Claude Lemieux. I thought he was the devil incarnate from the time he laid the hit on Draper until a year later when DMac beat him to a bloody pulp

[@nathanhoward3341]

You guys had the most hated coach. Your coach was the frickin devil. He loved hurting and cheap shotting everyone.

[@jgould30]

Just my opinion but McCarty looks like a crack addict who didn't square up but threw a sucker punch. Shocker. I don't have an ounce of respect for him.

[@angelofinaldi5918]

1995 Nassau Bahamas....Lemieux and all his family ...( Brothers. mother ..new wife..and his beautiful kids ) was there having won the cup with the devils .....an affectionate caring human being ....it was pleasant to admire that " Lemieux tribe"