NHL Star Dylan Larkin Calls 4 Nations Defeat ‘Biggest Loss’ of His Career as Team USA Eyes Olympic Gold: ‘I Just Don’t See Our Group Not Being Successful’ (Exclusive)

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Dylan Larkin spoke to PEOPLE in partnership with Charmin Ultra Strong ahead of his Olympic debut, calling the Games “a dream” and “truly a once in a lifetime opportunity” as Team USA prepares to play in Milan

Reflecting on last year’s Four Nations overtime loss to Canada, Larkin said it was “probably the biggest loss I’ve gone through in my career,” adding, “I’ve thought about the Olympics every day probably since then” as motivation for a gold medal run

Looking ahead to Milano Cortina, the Detroit Red Wings captain expressed confidence in Team USA’s chemistry, saying the group is “so tight knit and special” and adding, “I just don’t see our group not being successful”

The 2026 Winter Olympics are well underway and Team USA men’s ice hockey is slated to hit the ice for their first game on Feb. 12 against Team Latvia in the preliminary round of the games.

Set to play forward for the team is Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who touched down in Milan just days ago.

Larkin, who spoke to PEOPLE in partnership with Charmin Ultra Strong, emphasized the need to be “ultra strong” in his training and play ahead of the team’s quest for gold.

Dylan Larkin on the ice during a hockey game wearing a Red Wings jersey

Aaron Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty

“You have to be able to manage the ups and downs, that’s strength as a person and as a hockey player,” he says. “It’s a dream, you know, and a moment where you gotta take a step back and really realize that one of your lifelong dreams is coming true. I’m really looking forward to getting there, to soak it in.”

Though the star center will make his Olympic debut this year, he also made his acting debut in a hilarious new spot for Charmin Ultra Strong, something that was definitely out of his comfort zone.

“It’s not something where I feel like I’m good at it, or it’s not natural I should say. And they made me look so good because I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I have the energy or the acting skills to really bring what they want to life,’” Larkin laughs. “But the team did such a good job with the script and it was such a pleasure to work with them and they really brought the whole vision to life. They really made me look good, that’s all I’ll say!”

Taking the ice in Milano Cortina will also be a new experience for Larkin that may take him out of his comfort zone, but he’s going into the games ready to roll.

“I’m excited to experience the [Olympic] Village and meet other athletes and go to speed skating events and cheer on the [USA] Women’s hockey team,” he says. “It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Larkin laughs and continues, “I’m also excited to play in the games because that’s what we’re really there for. We have a special team and a lot of great players.”

Part of that team includes Larkin’s former University of Michigan roommate and teammate, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets (“He’s such a smooth skating defenseman that you give him the puck and he’s like a fourth forward out there,” Larkin says of Werenski) and brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes, all three of which Larkin says he’s most excited to get on the ice and play with.

Ice hockey players in Team USA uniforms during practice session on the ice rink several players standing together and one bending forward

Gregory Shamus/Getty

All four of the NHL players united last year for the inaugural Four Nations tournament on Team USA, which faced a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Team Canada in the finals on Feb. 20, 2025.

For Larkin, that loss felt personal and is serving as his motivation to help Team USA finally get the job done and go for the gold.

“I didn’t expect that to sting as much as it did, and I’m not saying that I didn’t think it was gonna be big, but it really felt like we lost a Stanley Cup final game, gold medal in the Olympics,” Larkin says. “It was probably the biggest loss I’ve gone through in my career. I’ve thought about the Olympics every day probably since then. I’m excited and I do think our group is so tight knit and special and we had such good chemistry at the Four Nations that I just believe that there’s better for our group and I just don’t see our group not being successful.”

Dylan Larkin skating and handling a hockey stick on the ice rink during practice

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Back on home turf Larkin’s Red Wings are having a stellar run and strong playoff push this 2025-2026 NHL season. The team currently ranks in the upper tier of the Atlantic Division and Larkin himself is on pace to have one of his better overall scoring seasons, racking up over 25 goals and 50 points to date.

The Red Wings vet credits much of this success and tenacity to a strong team core that continues to improve and step up— including himself, forward Patrick Kane, forward Alex DeBrincat, defenseman Moritz Seider and forward Lucas Raymond — alongside strategic new roster additions that help complement the foundation that’s been built.

“We’ve been together for a few years now and we’ve just added pieces. Picking up [goalie] John Gibson has been such a great addition and he’s won us so many games already,” he says. “We’ve been through some tough times together and it was only a matter of time until we turned the corner. Over time players get better. Lucas [Raymond] and Moritz Seider, they’ve gotten better and it’s helped our team and really taken the load off of myself and some of the other veterans and really coming into their own as star players.”

Todd McLellan and Detroit Red Wings players including Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane present during a game

Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty

A Waterford, Michigan, native, Larkin has played his entire hockey career in his home state, from youth and college hockey to all 10 of his NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he has served as captain since 2021.

The star forward has cemented his spot as a franchise and hometown cornerstone and when it’s time to finally hang up the skates for good, Larkin knows exactly where he wants to be.

“I am proud to kind of have had the path that I’ve had and understand how lucky I am — not many players get to play their whole careers at home,” he says. “And, I’ve got to experience that and I definitely don’t see myself leaving until I’m done playing. I’d love to finish my career here.”

Team USA men’s hockey will take on Team Latvia on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 3:10 PM ET.

Read the original article on People

NHL Star Dylan Larkin Calls 4 Nations Defeat ‘Biggest Loss’ of His Career as Team USA Eyes Olympic Gold: ‘I Just Don’t See Our Group Not Being Successful’ (Exclusive)

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