The coveted 18-year old Waterford native has chosen to forgo his NCAA eligibility for the AHL.
Expect announcement Dylan Larkin leaving @umichhockey for Detroit Red Wings and will be available for Grand Rapids series vs Utica. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@TSNAaronWard) May 21, 2015
The announcement comes after a season that was one to remember for the 15th overall selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. As a freshman under University of Michigan head coach Red Berenson, he posted a solid stat line, scoring 15 goals and 47 points, second on the team. He led the team in shots with 151, and earned the title of Freshman of the Year. He was one of a handful of teammates selected to play in the 2015 World Junior Championships, where he outshined top prospect and fellow 18-year old Jack Eichel. He scored five goals and seven points in the five games his team played, earning “Most Important Player” honors for Team USA.
After Michigan was eliminated from NCAA Championship contention, he received an invite from USA Hockey again, this time to go to Prague for the World Championships. He was used mainly on the penalty kill by head coach Todd Richards, and he totaled one assist in ten games played. The penalty kill for Team USA during the tournament was 3rd best, erasing 93.75% (30/32) of opportunities. After winning the bronze medal, Larkin entered the decision making process, and eventually decided to turn pro and join the Grand Rapids Griffins for their Calder Cup push.
The term of the contract that would be signed are listed in the tweet below. Under an amateur tryout, Larkin’s entry level deal would still be three years, not losing any length joining the Griffins.
#RedWings in process of signing Dylan Larkin to 3-yr entry contract, would run '15-16, '16-'17, '17-18. ATO = he can play in AHL playoffs.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) May 21, 2015
The last notable Michigan freshman forward to leave after his first year was Max Pacioretty, and Larkin had twelve more points in two fewer games than the Montreal sniper when he left after the 2007-08 season.
Pacioretty needed a combined 82 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs from 2008-11, coming up for sparse opportunities with Montreal in the midst of their rebuilding years. Over that span he totaled 123 NHL games posting 20 goals and 49 points. Since becoming an NHL regular in 2011-12, he’s scored 124 goals and 231 points in 276 games. Similar to how Montreal was, the Wings will have to patient with a prospect like this, something they are used to. (See Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, etc.)
He will be available for Game 1 on Sunday as the Griffins battle in the Western Conference Final for their second Calder Cup in three years against the Utica Comets.
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