Dylan Larkin Explained

Dylan Larkin
Birth Date:30 July 1996
Birth Place:Waterford, Michigan, U.S.
Salary:$8.7 million Contract = 8 yearsheight_ft = 6
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:190
Position:Center
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Detroit Red Wings
Ntl Team:USA
Draft:15th overall
Draft Year:2014
Draft Team:Detroit Red Wings
Career Start:2015

Dylan Larkin (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Larkin was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Prior to turning professional, Larkin played collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan where he was named the Freshman of the Year. He was also selected for the All-Freshman Team, All-Big Ten First Team, and Second Team All-American.

Playing career

Larkin played minor ice hockey with Detroit Belle Tire, and participated in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the team.[1]

Junior

During the 2012–13 season, Larkin skated for USA Hockey's U17 team in his first season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. In 55 games he scored 13 goals and 14 assists. Larkin recorded one goal and one assist in four games at the 2012 Four Nations Tournament in Switzerland as the USA finished in first place. Larkin recorded three goals in four games for the third-place USA squad at the 2013 U17 Five Nations Tournament in Finland.[2]

During the 2013–14 season, Larkin returned to skate for the NTDP's U18 team in his second season in Ann Arbor, where he finished second on the NTDP U18 team with 31 goals and fourth with 56 points in 60 games.[3] Larkin was selected to participate in the 2013 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game on September 26, 2013. Larkin finished the AAPG with a goal and an assist.[4]

Larkin was ranked 17th by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau on their final list of the top draft-eligible North American skaters leading into the 2014 NHL Draft.[5] [6] Larkin was drafted 15th overall by Detroit Red Wings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[7]

College

Larkin began his collegiate career for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2014–15 season. Larkin was named the Hockey Commissioners' Association National Rookie of the Month for January. Larkin led all college hockey freshmen with 14 points (seven goals and seven assists) in six games, and was number two overall in the nation, second to teammate Zach Hyman, with an average of 2.33 points per game during the month of January. Larkin recorded a point in every game during the month and had an eight-game point streak (eight goals and 10 assists) overall. Larkin's overall points-per-game average (1.43 points per game) is the second-best in the last 60 years among Michigan freshmen, behind only Bruno Baseotto's 2.0 points per game in 1979–80. On January 16, 2015, Larkin recorded a career-best five-point night (two goals and three assists) in a 10–6 win at Ohio State, and became the first Michigan freshman to record five points in a game since October 18, 1997, when Mike Van Ryn had five assists in a 6–4 win against Colgate.[8] On February 24, 2015, Larkin was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week. On February 20, Larkin recorded a goal and an assist and 12 shots on goal, the most shots in a game by a Michigan player since Jeff Tambellini recorded 13 shots against Quinnipiac on October 18, 2003. On February 22, Larkin recorded a goal and three assists in a 5–2 win against Ohio State.[9] Larkin leads all Big Ten freshmen with 43 points (15 goals and 28 assists), becoming the first Michigan freshman to reach 40 points since Aaron Palushaj during the 2007–08 season. Larkin was number three in the nation in freshman scoring, number five in the nation with an average of 0.91 assists per game, and number six in the nation with a scoring average of 1.34 points per game. Larkin led all freshmen with an average of 4.41 shots a game. Following an outstanding rookie season with the Wolverines, Larkin was selected as the Big Ten's 2014–15 Freshman of the Year. He was also named to both the 2014–15 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team and named an AHCA Second Team All-American.[10] [11]

During the quarterfinals of the 2015 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, Larkin recorded one goal and three assists, to break a single-game Big Ten Tournament point record. This record was surpassed the following year when J. T. Compher recorded five assists in a single game.[12] [13] [14]

Professional

On May 21, 2015, it was announced that Larkin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, forgoing his final three seasons of eligibility at the University of Michigan.[15] He was assigned to the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, after signing an amateur tryout.[16] [17]

Larkin made his debut for the Grand Rapids Griffins on May 24, 2015, during game one of the Western Conference finals against the Utica Comets.[18] On May 25, in his second game with the Griffins, Larkin scored his first professional goal against Jacob Markström.[19] On October 5, 2015, Larkin made the Red Wings' final roster for the 2015–16 season, becoming the first 19-year-old to debut on opening night since Mike Sillinger in 1990–91.[20] In his NHL debut, on October 9, 2015, Larkin recorded his first career NHL point, an assist in the first period, and his first NHL goal in the second period against Jonathan Bernier of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He became the first Red Wings teenager to score in his first NHL game since Steve Yzerman in 1983.[21] [22] On November 21, Larkin scored a goal for the fourth consecutive game, becoming the first Red Wings teenager to do so since Steve Yzerman in 1984–85.[23] Larkin was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for November 2015, leading all rookies with seven goals in 13 games in November. He also led all rookies with 10 goals, a +14 plus/minus rating, was tied for first with three game-winning goals, and ranked third with 18 points and 64 shots on goal in 24 games.[24]

On March 24, 2016, in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, Larkin recorded his 200th shot of the season, becoming just the fifth Red Wings rookie to do so, following Marcel Dionne, Sergei Fedorov, Reed Larson and Dale McCourt.[25]

Larkin was named to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. Larkin was the seventh Detroit rookie to play in the All-Star Game, but only the third chosen to play. He was the first Red Wings rookie to play in the All-Star Game since Yzerman in 1984.[26] At the NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition, he set the NHL record for fastest skater, with a time of 13.172 seconds, breaking Mike Gartner's record of 13.386 that was set in 1996.[27]

During his rookie season, Larkin recorded 23 goals and 22 assists in 80 games. Larkin became the sixth rookie in franchise history to lead the team in goals and the first since Mike Foligno led the team with 36 in the 1979–80 season. He also led the Red Wings with a +11 plus/minus rating, 221 shots on goal, and five game-winning goals.[28] Following an outstanding rookie season, he finished among the league's rookie leaders with 23 goals (T3rd), 22 assists (11th), 45 points (6th), a plus-11 rating (T5th), five game-winning goals (T2nd), 221 shots on goal (2nd) and 16:32 average time on ice (5th among forwards).[29] Larkin was named the 2016 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year by members of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.[30]

Following his rookie season, Larkin played both winger and centre.[31] [32] However, his sophomore year was not as prolific as his rookie season, as Larkin ended the 2016–17 season with only 17 goals and a minus-28.[31] During the 2017–18 season, Larkin led the Red Wings in scoring, recording 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.[33] [34]

On January 13, 2021, the Red Wings named Larkin team captain.[35] Larkin led the NHL in scoring with five goals and seven points in three games. On December 18, 2021, he recorded his first career hat-trick. He was subsequently named the NHL First Star of the Week for the week ending December 20, 2021.[36]

Larkin was named to the 2023 National Hockey League All-Star Game. During the All-Star Game he helped the Atlantic Division win its first 3-on-3 title, recording five goals and one assist, a plus-seven rating, 14 shots and six takeaways in two games, including a hat trick during the championship game against the Central Division. He was subsequently named the NHL's Second Star of the Week for the week ending February 5, 2023.[37] On March 1, 2023, the Red Wings signed Larkin to an eight-year, $69.6 million contract extension.[38] [39]

Personal life

Larkin has an older brother Colin, who was signed by the Edmonton Oilers to a one-year contract following the conclusion of his collegiate hockey career.[40] His cousins Adam, Ryan and Woodser also play hockey. Adam played defense for Yale University and signed with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He also played a few games for the Adirondack Thunder. Ryan plays goaltender for Miami University.[41] [42]

In 2016, Larkin, his brother, and cousins, began the Larkin Hockey School at Lakeland Ice Arena in Waterford Township, Michigan as a way to give back to the community.[41] [43]

International play

Larkin represented the United States at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a bronze medal. Larkin was the third-leading scorer for the United States, recording two goals and five assists in six games.[44]

Larkin represented the United States at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was an alternate captain, and won a gold medal. Larkin recorded two goals and two assists in six games.[45]

He represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was the team's leading scorer, and was tied for tournament lead with five goals in five games.[46] He was named one of Team USA's top three players of the tournament.[47] [48]

Larkin represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one assist in ten games, and won a bronze medal. He was a mainstay on the team's penalty killing unit.[49] [50]

Larkin represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded two goals and seven assists in ten games. Larkin represented Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he recorded one assist in two games.[51]

He represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he was an alternate captain, and was the team's second leading scorer, recording two goals and eight assists in eight games.[52] The following year, he represented the United States at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he again served as an alternate captain, recording three goals and six assists in ten games and won a bronze medal.[53] [54]

On April 19, 2019, Larkin returned to represent Team USA at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, held in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.[55]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2012–13U.S. NTDP JuniorsUSHL37771440
2012–13U.S. NTDP U17USDP5513142754
2013–14U.S. NTDP JuniorsUSHL261792624
2013–14U.S. NTDP U18USDP6031255656
2014–15University of MichiganB1G3515324742
2014–15Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL63256
2015–16Detroit Red WingsNHL8023224534510118
2016–17Detroit Red WingsNHL8017153237
2017–18Detroit Red WingsNHL8216476361
2018–19Detroit Red WingsNHL7632417375
2019–20Detroit Red WingsNHL7119345339
2020–21Detroit Red WingsNHL449142334
2021–22Detroit Red WingsNHL7131386947
2022–23Detroit Red WingsNHL8032477945
2023–24Detroit Red WingsNHL6833366939
NHL totals652212294506411510118

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2013United StatesU1762576
2014United StatesU1862242
2015United StatesWJC5th55274
2015United StatesWC100116
2016United StatesWC4th102798
2016Team North AmericaWCH5th20112
2017United StatesWC5th828106
2018United StatesWC103698
2019United StatesWC7th73254
Junior totals17991812
Senior totals4710253534

Awards and achievements

AwardsYear
College
All-Big Ten Freshman Team2015
All-Big Ten First Team2015
2015
AHCA West Second-Team All-American2015
NHL
Rookie of the MonthNovember, 2015[56]
NHL All-Star Game2016, 2022, 2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2019-01-02. March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. dead.
  2. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/dylan-larkin/ Hockey's Future - Dylan Larkin
  3. News: Waterford's Dylan Larkin hopes to land with Red Wings . . George . Sipple . June 27, 2014 . June 27, 2014 .
  4. Web site: Wolverines commit Dylan Larkin impresses at All-American Prospects Game in Pittsburgh . mihockeynow.com . Michael . Caples . September 30, 2013 . September 30, 2013 .
  5. Web site: USHL Players Highlight NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings . . April 8, 2014 . April 8, 2014 .
  6. Web site: Dylan Larkin – The Next Ones: NHL 2014 Draft Prospect Profile . thehockeywriters.com . Shawn . Reznik . May 29, 2014 . May 29, 2014 .
  7. Web site: 1st Round Draft Pick . . June 27, 2014 . June 27, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Larkin Named HCA National Rookie of the Month for January . . MGoBlue.com . February 4, 2015 . February 4, 2015.
  9. Web site: Larkin, Hyman Skate to Big Ten First and Second Stars . . MGoBlue.com . February 24, 2015 . February 24, 2015.
  10. Web site: Hyman, Larkin Selected as All-Americans . . MGoBlue.com . April 10, 2015 . April 10, 2015 .
  11. Web site: Hyman, Larkin Lead Quintet of U-M All-Big Ten Honorees . . MGoBlue.com . March 16, 2015 . March 16, 2015.
  12. Web site: Larkin has four-point night in UM win . . Craig . Peterson . March 19, 2015 . March 19, 2015 .
  13. Web site: 2015 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game Notes . . MGoBlue.com . March 19, 2015 . March 19, 2015 . April 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183316/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/GAMETWONOTES.pdf . dead .
  14. Web site: 2016 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Game Notes . . MGoBlue.com . March 18, 2016 . March 18, 2016 . March 27, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160327041540/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2016NotesGame3.pdf . dead .
  15. News: Dylan Larkin to leave Michigan, join Wings. Kulfan. Ted. May 21, 2015. Detroit News. May 21, 2015.
  16. Web site: Larkin Signs Pro Contract with Detroit Red Wings . . MGoBlue.com . May 21, 2015 . May 21, 2015.
  17. Web site: Larkin signed to ATO . . May 21, 2015 . May 21, 2015.
  18. Web site: Red Wings top pick Dylan Larkin makes pro debut as Griffins seek best way to use him . . Peter . Wallner . May 25, 2015 . May 25, 2015.
  19. Web site: Griffins 4, Comets 2: Dylan Larkin scores twice to even series . . Peter . Wallner . May 25, 2015 . May 25, 2015.
  20. Web site: Larkin makes Wings' final roster . . Bill . Roose . October 5, 2015 . October 5, 2015 .
  21. Web site: Red Wings forward Larkin scores in NHL debut . . October 9, 2015 . October 9, 2015.
  22. Web site: Larkin's big step up is smooth skating . . John . Niyo . October 10, 2015 . October 10, 2015.
  23. News: Detroit 4, St. Louis 3 (OT): Pulkkinen wins it for Wings . . George . Sipple . November 21, 2015 . November 21, 2015.
  24. Web site: League names Larkin rookie of the month . . Bill . Roose . December 1, 2015 . December 1, 2015.
  25. Web site: Shooting star . . Dana . Wakiji . March 25, 2016 . March 25, 2016.
  26. Web site: Larkin lone Wings' All-Star . . Dana . Wakiji . January 6, 2016 . January 6, 2016.
  27. News: Red Wings' Larkin sets record in NHL skills competition . . Brian . Manzullo . January 30, 2016 . January 30, 2016.
  28. Web site: Larkin had successful year, wants more . . Dana . Wakiji . April 27, 2016 . April 27, 2016.
  29. Web site: Larkin named Red Wings rookie of the year . . Kyle . Kujawa . May 24, 2016 . May 24, 2016.
  30. Web site: Kujawa. Kyle. Larkin named Red Wings rookie of the year. NHL.com. April 4, 2018. May 24, 2016.
  31. Web site: Rosen. Dan. Larkin feels ready for full-time center role with Red Wings. NHL.com. April 4, 2018. August 17, 2017.
  32. News: Sipple. George. Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin at center: 'It's a heck of a thing'. April 4, 2018. Detroit Free Press. March 14, 2017.
  33. Web site: Red Wings re-sign Larkin to five-year deal. Detroit Red Wings. Kyle. Kujawa. August 10, 2018. August 10, 2018.
  34. Web site: Red Wings lock up Dylan Larkin with 5-year, $30.5M contract. sportsnet.ca . August 10, 2018 . August 10, 2018.
  35. Web site: Red Wings name Dylan Larkin captain . NHL.com . Kyle . Kujawa . January 13, 2021 . January 13, 2021.
  36. Web site: Larkin leads 3 Stars of the Week . NHL.com . December 20, 2021 . December 20, 2021.
  37. Web site: Tkachuk of Panthers leads 3 Stars of the Week . NHL.com . February 6, 2023 . February 6, 2023.
  38. Web site: Red Wings sign Dylan Larkin to eight-year contract extension . NHL.com . Thomas . Roth . March 1, 2023 . March 1, 2023.
  39. Web site: Red Wings keep Dylan Larkin with 8-year contract extension worth $69.6 million . . Ted . Kulfan . March 1, 2023 . March 1, 2023.
  40. Web site: RELEASE: Oilers sign college free agent Colin Larkin. NHL.com. April 4, 2018. March 5, 2018.
  41. Web site: Dana Wakiji . Larkin Hockey School is a true family affair . NHL.com . December 29, 2018 . July 17, 2018.
  42. News: Ken Campbell . RED WINGS ROOKIE SENSATION DYLAN LARKIN DRIVEN TO BECOME THE BEST . The Hockey News . December 29, 2018 . March 6, 2016.
  43. Web site: Dana Wakiji . Dylan Larkin, his brother and cousins give back with Larkin Hockey School . NHL.com . December 29, 2018 . July 26, 2017.
  44. Web site: 2013 World Under-17 Challenge Roster Announced . . December 20, 2012 . December 20, 2012 .
  45. Web site: USA Golden at U18 World Championship . thepinkpuck.com . April 29, 2014 . April 29, 2014 .
  46. Web site: Four Wolverines Named to Final Roster for U.S. World Junior Team . . MGoBlue.com . December 26, 2014 . December 26, 2014.
  47. Web site: U.S. National Junior Team Falls to Russia, 3-2, in Quarterfinals . . January 2, 2015 . January 2, 2015 .
  48. Web site: Red Wings prospects Dylan Larkin, Joe Hicketts impressed during World Junior Championship . . Ansar . Khan . January 6, 2015 . January 6, 2015 .
  49. Web site: Larkin Named to 2015 U.S. World Championship Roster . . MGoBlue.com . April 14, 2015 . April 14, 2015.
  50. Web site: Larkin Earns Bronze Medal with USA Hockey at World Championships . . MGoBlue.com . May 18, 2015 . May 18, 2015.
  51. Web site: World Cup has Red Wings forwards eager to compete. National Hockey League. Paul. Harris. August 18, 2016. August 18, 2016.
  52. Web site: Growing up: Larkin putting the 'A' in U.S.A. National Hockey League. Brian. Hedger. May 13, 2017. May 13, 2017.
  53. News: Kulfan. Ted. Red Wings Larkin, Jensen join Team USA for worlds. The Detroit News. April 28, 2018. April 28, 2018.
  54. Web site: 2018 U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER. teamusa.usahockey.com. April 29, 2018.
  55. Web site: First 17 players named to 2019 U.S. Men's national team . . April 19, 2019 . April 19, 2019.
  56. Web site: Wings' Larkin named rookie of month for November . . December 1, 2015 . December 1, 2015.