After Quinn Hughes scored in overtime Wednesday to lift the United States past Sweden 2-1 in an Olympic quarterfinal matchup, he had high praise for the Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin.
“Larks has been like a little bit of an older brother, mentor since I’ve known him,” Hughes said during an interview with the NHL Network.
Larkin’s lone season at Michigan was 2014-15. Hughes played there for two years from 2016-17 to 2017-18 before being selected seventh overall in the 2018 draft by Vancouver, one pick after the Red Wings took Filip Zadina.
“The first time I met (Larkin) was at a frat party in Michigan,” Hughes told the NHL Network. “I was a freshman, but he was awesome. So, I was 17. He must have been 20. But just a tremendous player, tremendous person and really close friend.”
Larkin’s play also helped the U.S. reach the semifinals Friday against Slovakia (3 p.m., NBC, Peacock). The Detroit captain scored his team’s lone regulation goal vs. Sweden when he tipped in a shot by Jack Hughes in the second period. Larkin won the offensive-zone face-off to Quinn Hughes, who delivered the puck to his brother before Larkin’s tip.
“I think I just follow from what a big heart Lark says, and he always tells me to pay it forward, and I think that’s a great message,” Hughes said.
The Red Wings were interested in acquiring Hughes earlier this season but his reluctance to commit to a contract extension prompted them to pass. The Minnesota Wild acquired Hughes on Dec. 12 for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick in 2026.
If Hughes, who has one more year remaining on his contract, doesn’t re-sign with the Wild, the Red Wings could have yet another opportunity to acquire him, either by the 2027 trade deadline or in free agency in 2027.