Dylan Larkin Bio
Dylan Larkin is an American professional ice hockey player who serves as the captain and center for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 30, 1996, in Waterford, Michigan, he was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning professional, Larkin played college hockey for the University of Michigan, where he had a successful career and received numerous accolades including Freshman of the Year. Since his debut in 2015, Larkin has established himself as one of the key players for the Red Wings, leading the team in scoring and earning multiple NHL All-Star selections.
Early Life and Background
Dylan Larkin grew up in Waterford, Michigan, where he began playing minor ice hockey with the Detroit Belle Tire organization. He participated in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with Belle Tire, gaining early experience against international competition. Larkin comes from a hockey family with strong athletic roots.
His older brother Colin was signed by the Edmonton Oilers to a one-year contract following his collegiate hockey career. His cousins Adam and Ryan also pursued professional hockey careers. Adam played defense for Yale University before signing with the Reading Royals of the ECHL and appearing in games for the Adirondack Thunder. Ryan served as a goaltender for Miami University.
Path to Professional Hockey
Larkin joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Ann Arbor during the 2012-13 season. Playing for the U17 team in 55 games, he scored 13 goals and recorded 14 assists. He contributed to USA’s first-place finish at the 2012 Four Nations Tournament in Switzerland, recording two points in four games. He also scored three goals in four games during the 2013 U17 Five Nations Tournament in Finland, helping the USA earn third place.
During the 2013-14 season, Larkin returned to the NTDP for his second year, this time with the U18 team. He finished second on the team with 31 goals and fourth with 56 points in 60 games. Larkin was ranked 17th by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau on their final list of top draft-eligible North American skaters leading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Dylan Larkin Career
College Career (2014-2015)
Larkin began his collegiate career for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2014-15 season. He made an immediate impact, earning the Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Rookie of the Month honor for January. Larkin led all college hockey freshmen with 14 points in six games during the month and ranked second in the nation with 2.33 points per game.
He recorded a career-best five-point night on January 16, 2015, scoring two goals and three assists in a 10-6 win at Ohio State, becoming the first Michigan freshman to record five points in a game since 1997. Following the season, Larkin was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and selected to both the All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team. He was also named an AHCA Second Team All-American. He led all Big Ten freshmen with 43 points and set a single-game Big Ten Tournament point record during the quarterfinals with four points.
Detroit Red Wings Breakthrough (2015-Present)
On May 21, 2015, Larkin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, forgoing his final three seasons of eligibility at Michigan. He was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate, and made his professional debut on May 24, 2015, during the Western Conference finals against the Utica Comets. The following day, in his second game with the Griffins, he scored his first professional goal.
Larkin made the Red Wings opening-night roster for the 2015-16 season, becoming the first 19-year-old to debut on opening night for Detroit since Mike Sillinger in 1990-91. On October 9, 2015, in his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Larkin recorded his first career point, an assist, and then scored his first NHL goal. He became the first Red Wings teenager to score in his first NHL game since Steve Yzerman in 1983. He was named NHL Rookie of the Month for November 2015 after leading all rookies with seven goals in 13 games.
During his rookie season, Larkin recorded 23 goals and 22 assists in 80 games. He became the sixth rookie in franchise history to lead the team in goals and the first since Mike Foligno in 1979-80. He led the Red Wings with a plus-11 rating, 221 shots on goal, and five game-winning goals. Larkin was selected to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game and set the NHL record for fastest skater during the All-Star SuperSkills Competition, recording a time of 13.172 seconds and breaking Mike Gartner’s 1996 record.
While his sophomore season saw a dip in production with 17 goals and a minus-28 rating, Larkin bounced back strongly during the 2017-18 season. He led the Red Wings in scoring with 16 goals and 47 assists in 82 games, becoming the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to lead the team in scoring. On August 10, 2018, he signed a five-year, $30.5 million contract extension with the Red Wings.
Team Captain Era (2021-Present)
On January 13, 2021, the Red Wings named Larkin as the 37th captain in franchise history. He continued to be a consistent scoring threat and on December 18, 2021, recorded his first career hat-trick. Larkin was named NHL First Star of the Week following that performance.
Larkin was named to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, where he helped the Atlantic Division win its first 3-on-3 title. He recorded five goals and one assist in two games, including a hat trick during the championship game against the Central Division, and was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week. On March 1, 2023, Larkin signed an eight-year, $69.6 million contract extension with the Red Wings.
During the first year of his new contract, Larkin scored a career-high 33 goals along with 36 assists through 68 games. However, he suffered an injury late in the 2023-24 season and underwent surgery during the offseason, requiring a recovery period.
International Career
Larkin has represented the United States at numerous international tournaments. He won a bronze medal at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he served as alternate captain. At the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he was the team’s leading scorer with five goals in five games and was named one of Team USA’s top three players of the tournament.
He represented the United States at the 2015 and 2016 IIHF World Championships, winning bronze medals both times. At the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, he played for Team North America and recorded one assist in two games. He served as alternate captain at the 2017 and 2018 World Championships, contributing to additional bronze medal performances.
Notable Achievements and Records
Throughout his career, Larkin has achieved several notable milestones. He became the first Red Wings teenager to score in his first NHL game since Steve Yzerman in 1983 and the first to record four consecutive games with a goal since Yzerman in 1984-85. He is the fastest skater record holder from the 2016 All-Star SuperSkills Competition. Larkin became the fifth-youngest player in Red Wings history to lead the team in scoring during the 2017-18 season and the 37th captain in franchise history in 2021.
Dylan Larkin Career Wins
Throughout his NHL and international career, Larkin has accumulated significant accomplishments across multiple competitions. His career highlights include winning an Olympic gold medal, multiple World Championship medals, and establishing himself as a consistent offensive force for the Detroit Red Wings.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Larkin has been a consistent scorer and leader for Detroit. His rookie season of 2015-16 stands as his most decorated, when he recorded 23 goals and 22 assists while being selected to the All-Star Game. He set the fastest skater record at the All-Star SuperSkills Competition that year. He earned another All-Star selection in 2023, where he won the 3-on-3 tournament championship with the Atlantic Division and recorded a hat trick in the title game. He scored a career-high 33 goals during the 2023-24 season.
International Titles
Larkin’s international career includes an Olympic gold medal in 2026, a gold medal from the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships, and bronze medals from three World Championships (2015, 2016, and 2018). He was the leading scorer for Team USA at the 2015 World Junior Championship and served as alternate captain at multiple World Championship tournaments.
Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Larkin comes from a family deeply rooted in hockey. His older brother Colin pursued a professional hockey career and was signed by the Edmonton Oilers following his collegiate career. His cousin Adam played defense for Yale University and later signed with Reading Royals of the ECHL, also appearing in games for the Adirondack Thunder. His cousin Ryan was a goaltender for Miami University.
Community Involvement
In 2016, Larkin, along with his brother Colin and cousins Adam and Ryan, established the Larkin Hockey School at Lakeland Ice Arena in Waterford Township, Michigan. The program was created as a way to give back to their local community and provide opportunities for young hockey players to develop their skills.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked a significant chapter in Larkin’s career as he continued his recovery from offseason surgery and led the Detroit Red Wings through a transitional period. As team captain, Larkin served as a central figure both on and off the ice, helping to guide a young roster through the challenges of a competitive Western Conference.
Following the 2025 trade deadline, Larkin publicly expressed his thoughts on the direction of the franchise after Detroit did not make any major trades. His leadership was tested as he worked to maintain team morale and focus amid speculation about the organization’s future plans. Larkin’s performance remained steady throughout the season, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the Red Wings despite facing a challenging environment.
Looking ahead, Larkin remains one of the most important players in the Red Wings’ long-term plans. With his offensive skills, leadership abilities, and experience accumulated over multiple seasons, he is positioned to continue driving the franchise forward as Detroit works to return to playoff contention in the NHL.