When NBC was teasing the Slovakia-USA men\u2019s hockey semifinal earlier today, the voiceover didn\u2019t talk about Jack Eichel or Auston Matthews or Quinn Hughes.<\/p>\n
It was about Dylan Larkin.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a buzz about Larkin\u2019s blue-collar work ethic since USA\u2019s first game. With his 25-5 faceoff record and his work on the Americans\u2019 10-for-10 penalty killing efficiency, Larkin is the All-American boy of this team.\u00a0 He\u2019s does a thankless job without complaint.<\/p>\n
Dylan Larkin is a heart-and-soul guy for every team he plays on. His USA teammates all gush about him showing up as a big game player.<\/p>\n
You can see why, as he details the emotional rollercoaster of the 2-1 OT quarterfinal win against Sweden.https:\/\/t.co\/rijhVpEvH4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLarks has done a great job of what we\u2019ve asked of him,\u201d U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said. \u201cAnd whatever we ask him he embraces.\u201d<\/p>\n In interviews, Larkin has made it clear he is proud to wear the USA jersey. Having been a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program, he has playing for his country since he was a teenager.<\/p>\n Dylan Larkin’s reaction to the Quinn Hughes goal is incredible pic.twitter.com\/uRptAbjY2u<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Hughes Connection<\/p>\n Larkin is very popular with this team, particularly players like Zach Werenski<\/a>, Tkachuk brothers,\u00a0 the Hughes brothers and Jack Eichel. This is a close-knit American team.\u00a0 There is a lasting bond between players that came through the U.S. development program, based in Michigan.<\/p>\n In an interview with NBC, Quinn Hughes talked about the respect he has for Larkin. Detroit Red Wings captain Larkin told NBC that he was thrilled that Jack and Quinn both assisted on his only goal at the Olympics. He said he was going to find the Hughes\u2019 dad and give him a big hug.<\/p>\n \u201cLarks has been like a little bit of an older brother mentor since I\u2019ve known him,\u201d Quinn Hughes said.<\/p>\n They met at a University of Michigan frat party. \u201cI was a freshman, but he was awesome. . .I was 17.\u201d Hughes recalled. \u201cHe must have been 20. Just a tremendous player, tremendous person and really close friend.\u201d<\/p>\n What did he learn from Larkin? \u201cI just follow from a big heart (as) Lark says,\u201d Hughes said, \u201cand he always tells me to pay it forward, and I think that\u2019s a great message.\u201d<\/p>\n Patrick Kane on Dylan Larkin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 pic.twitter.com\/Fc7PClHVu5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n kin<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t