Dylan Larkin is an American professional ice hockey center and captain of the Detroit Red Wings. He gained public attention in June 2026 after requesting a trade from the only NHL franchise he has ever played for, ending an 11-year tenure with his hometown team amid frustration over the team’s decade-long playoff drought.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Dylan Larkin
Age: 29 (born July 30, 1996)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Professional Hockey Player (Center)
Known For: Detroit Red Wings captain; 2026 Olympic gold medalist with Team USA; Requesting trade from Red Wings
Marital Status: Married to Kenzy Wolfe (since August 2023)
Children: One daughter, Lennyn Marie Larkin (born May 2025)
Early Life and Background
Larkin was born and raised in Waterford, Michigan, and started skating almost before he could walk . He spent hours shooting pucks at a net in his driveway, honing his craft at a young age. Larkin played for local amateur programs before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, where he scored 132 points in 65 games . He then played one season at the University of Michigan (2014-15), leading the Wolverines with 47 points in 34 games and earning All-Big Ten honors .
Career and Achievements
The Detroit Red Wings selected Larkin 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. He made an immediate impact, becoming a Calder Trophy finalist in his rookie season (2015-16) when he also won the NHL Fastest Skater contest, breaking a twenty-year record in the event . In January 2021, Larkin was named the 37th captain in Red Wings history—the first Michigan-born captain in franchise history .
Through the 2025-26 season, Larkin has recorded 276 goals and 367 assists for 643 points in 808 regular-season games, ranking 10th on the Red Wings’ all-time scoring list . He posted a career-high 79 points in 2022-23 and recorded a career-best 34 goals in the 2025-26 season .
On the international stage, Larkin has represented Team USA at five consecutive world championships (2015-2019), winning two bronze medals . Most recently, he helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, recording two goals and one assist in six games .
Why He Is In the News
Larkin is in the news after multiple sources reported on June 3, 2026, that he has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings . According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the request stems from two factors: Detroit’s inability to make the playoffs for 10 consecutive years (the longest active playoff drought in the NHL) and a “frosty relationship” between Larkin and GM Steve Yzerman . Larkin has a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, meaning he will control his destination. He has five years remaining on an eight-year, $69.6 million contract extension signed in 2023.
Conclusion
Dylan Larkin is a homegrown superstar who gave 11 seasons to his hometown Red Wings, establishing himself as a top-line center and Olympic gold medalist. His trade request represents a seismic shift for a franchise now facing the potential departure of its captain and the face of the organization as they search for the playoffs that have eluded them for a decade.
