Larkin named HCA National Division I Rookie of the Month

By @SKubus – 

University of Michigan standout freshman Dylan Larkin has been named the Hockey Commissioners’ Association Division I Rookie of the Month for January.

After returning from leading the United States in scoring at the 2014 World Junior Championship, the Red Wings’ 2014 first-round pick showed no signs of slowing down.

The Waterford native led all college hockey freshmen with seven goals and 14 points in six January games and was second only to teammate Zach Hyman in points-per-game average at 2.33. Larkin’s 1.43 points-per-game average on the season ranks No. 2 in the last 60 years among Michigan freshmen, behind only Bruno Baseotto’s 2.0 in 1979-80.

Larkin impressively notched a point in every January contest to extend his current eight-game point streak, in which he has recorded eight goals and 10 assists. It began on Jan. 9 with a two-point performance, including an assist on the overtime game-winner against Minnesota. The next night, he scored a pair, including the game-winner himself, to pull off an impressive sweep of the Gophers and earn himself the weekly Big Ten Second Star honor.

He then one-upped himself the next week, and made some history in the process, as well.

In a 10-6 victory over the Buckeyes Jan. 16, Larkin posted five points to become the first freshman to do so since longtime NHL defenseman Mike Van Ryn did so in 1997. That earned him another Big Ten honor, the first star of the week this time. Larkin added four more points on Jan. 23-24 at Wisconsin and ultimately wrapped it up with the Wolverines’ lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena Jan. 30.

Larkin will try to carry that momentum over to Chicago Saturday where the Wolverines and Spartans square off in the Hockey City Classic outdoor at Soldier Field.