Sports
Dylan Larkin
born 1996 · ice hockey center
Metro Detroit-born center who grew up playing for Detroit Belle Tire, starred at the University of Michigan and became captain of his hometown Red Wings.
- Born
Waterford Township, Michigan
age 30- Detroit years
- 1996–
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Larkin was born in Waterford Township and came up through the area's youth hockey pipeline, playing for Detroit Belle Tire before joining USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. He then starred as a freshman at the University of Michigan, posting the second-best points-per-game average by a Michigan freshman in sixty years before the Red Wings, who had drafted him 15th overall in 2014, convinced him to turn pro early. He debuted in October 2015 as the first 19-year-old on Detroit's opening-night roster in a generation and scored in his first NHL game, echoing Steve Yzerman before him. Larkin became Red Wings captain in January 2021 and signed an eight-year contract extension in 2023, though in 2025 and 2026 friction with team management over the club's rebuild led to public frustration, a trade request and, in September 2026, the loss of his captaincy. He also runs the Larkin Hockey School with his family at a rink in Waterford Township.
Highlights
- Born in Waterford Township; grew up playing for Detroit Belle Tire
- Drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in 2014
- First Red Wings teenager to score in his NHL debut since Steve Yzerman
- Named Red Wings captain in January 2021
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2017–
Little Caesars Arena
The Red Wings' home arena for most of his career, including his captaincy.
Played here · 2015–2017
Joe Louis Arena
Demolished · 1979–2019
Where he debuted for the Red Wings and scored in his first NHL game; demolished in 2019.
Founded · 2016–
Larkin Hockey School, Lakeland Ice Arena
The youth hockey school he founded with his brother and cousins in his hometown.