Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is taking to the Olympic stage for the first time. At this pivotal moment of his playing career, he’s thankful for the mentorship he received at the outset of his professional journey from another Red Wings captain and Olympian.

Henrik Zetterberg was Larkin’s predecessor as captain in Detroit. The two were linemates during Larkin’s rookie NHL season of 2015-16.

Playing for Sweden, Zetterberg won a gold medal at the 2006 Torino Olympics. That was the previous time that the Winter Games were held in Italy.

With his mind on the gold medal and the gold medal on his mind🥇

Dylan Larkin gets some words of encouragement from Coach Snoop. pic.twitter.com/1HEhrV9DXg

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) February 13, 2026

Larkin is skating for the USA in the current Olympiad in Milano Cortina, Italy. On the world’s biggest sporting stage, he’s also remembering all that he learned at the outset from Zetterberg.

“Henrik Zetterberg, who I got to play with for my first three years, is probably the most significant person I’ve leaned on in my career,” Larkin told website rg.org.

Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2007-08. That was the most recent Stanley Cup win by the Red Wings.

“Just his leadership and how he quietly went about being one of the best players in the NHL for so long,” Larkin said, explaining how he learned much from Zetterberg simply through the process of osmosis.

Larkin is the only player on the current Detroit roster who has been part of a playoff Red Wings team.

Larkin Leans On Kane Among Current Red Wings

Just because he’s the one wearing the C, that doesn’t mean Larkin still isn’t seeking out advice from mentors. Among the players he’s admired and respected for years is someone who suits up with Larkin in the Detroit dressing room.

After all the buildup, team bonding and soaking in the #WinterOlympics experience, the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is ready to turn the page and get down to business starting today at 3:10 p.m. ET against Latvia.

Feature story: https://t.co/fJrasn23ZW pic.twitter.com/fdLGXb0ZVk

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 12, 2026

That would be veteran forward Patrick Kane. He recently became the NHL career scoring leader among US-born players.

“As an American-born player, Patrick Kane would be there for sure,” Larkin said. “You grew up wanting to be just like him, with his hands and the plays he could make.”