Larkin named Red Wings’ rookie of the year by DSBA

By @MichaelCaples –

In a unanimous vote, the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association have selected Dylan Larkin as the Red Wings’ rookie of the year.

The 19-year-old native of Waterford was the first teenager to play for the Wings since Jiri Hudler in 2003-04, and the first to be in the line-up on opening night since Mike Sillinger in 1990-91.

A product of Belle Tire, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and the University of Michigan, Larkin produced 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points and a +11 rating in his first NHL season.

“It was an exciting year for me personally, being able to wear the winged wheel and skate alongside great players who I grew up watching,” Larkin said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association for this honor and to the fans of Hockeytown for all the support this season. Playing for the Red Wings was a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to working hard this summer to get better for next season.”

Larkin led the Wings in goals, plus-minus, game-winning goals and shots on goal this season. He joins a group that includes four former DSBA Red Wings rookie of the year winners to lead Detroit in goals produced – Mike Foligno (1979-80), Dale McCourt (1977-78), Michel Bergeron (1975-76), Tom Webster (1970-71) and Carl Liscombe (1937-38).

During the 2015-16 season, Larkin became just the third Red Wings rookie to be selected for the NHL All-Star Game, joining Steve Yzerman (1984) and Reed Larson (1978). At said All-Star Game weekend, Larkin broke a skills-competition record for fastest skater – his 13.172 lap time bested Mike Gartner’s record from 1996.

MiHockey recently compiled some of the top moments from Larkin’s first season with the Wings in this article.