Dylan Larkin’s Olympic boost: Detroit Red Wings captain becomes Team USA’s secret weapon for gold medal quest

As Olympic gold is now in sight, one player who has been quietly making a big impact in Team USA’s success at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 is none other than Dylan Larkin, the captain of the Detroit Red Wings. Although he is not one of the lettered players for Team USA, his presence has been felt from warming up the team to scoring crucial goals when the stakes are high.

The 29-year-old center has scored the opening goal in both of Team USA’s knockout wins, first in the thrilling overtime quarterfinal match against Sweden and then in the dominating semifinal win over Slovakia. Next up for Larkin is the most crucial moment of his career yet: the gold medal match against Canada, which could see him join the short list of American men’s players who have won Olympic gold in hockey.

Dylan Larkin is the key player on the first line and power play for the Detroit Red Wings. At the Olympic level, he has taken on a different role with no hesitation, playing third-line center and penalty killer. His coaches and teammates attribute this quality to his hallmark characteristic: his unrelenting passion for winning.

Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Sullivan praised Dylan Larkin’s competitiveness and versatility, while longtime friend Zach Werenski called him the “emotional engine” of the team.

Even his NHL opponents recognize that he changes the pace of the game, saying that he is a player made for big moments.

Larkin has strong ties to USA Hockey. Growing up in Michigan, he played for the national program in Ann Arbor, led the University of Michigan to national championships, and was drafted 15th overall in 2014 by the Detroit Red Wings, where he has played his entire NHL career. Named captain in 2021 at just 24 years old, he is now one of the team’s leading scorers in its centennial year.

Yet individual success has been tempered by a lack of playoff opportunities. The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since his rookie season, and this has only fueled his passion. Currently, Detroit is firmly in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference, and there is hope that his NHL and international goals may finally come into alignment.

But for now, all eyes are on Sunday’s final. Larkin insists that playing for the United States is one of the highlights of his career, and his teammates believe that his leadership could be the deciding factor.

If Team USA finally breaks its Olympic gold medal drought, Larkin’s influence may be evident throughout the triumph—the pulse that drives America’s biggest hockey moment in a generation.