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Red Wings Captain Opens Up About Family Tragedy

Larkin gets emotional discussing loss of unborn child

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2 weeks ago

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Dylan Larkin, Red Wings
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin fought back tears while discussing his difficult year.

Missing the playoffs was merely one disappointing aspect in what was a very trying and tragic 2023-24 NHL season for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.

“It was probably one of the most difficult years of my life,” Larkin said.

In early December, Larkin took to Instagram to post the devastating news that he and his wife Kenzy had lost their unborn child, a girl that was due to be born in April.

“I don’t like to talk about it too much and I thank you guys for respecting that,” Larkin told the media that covers the team.

As he spoke about their personal tragedy, Larkin got choked up. He had to pause several times to gain control of his emotions. It was evident that he was struggling with the onset of tears.

Larkin also took time to thank his teammates for their support during those difficult days.

“There was times where I was going through it and it felt like I needed space,” Larkin said. “The guys were so good to me. Maybe I wasn’t able to be my best, or be myself with all the things going on.”

Red Wings Captain Immersed Himself In Hockey

Seeking to deal with the loss, Larkin turned another love in his love, hockey, to serve as a salve for the wounds.

“The guys were so good to me and my wife was really strong for me to allow me to come back and focus on hockey and the last month, I really give it all I had,” Larkin said. “It means a lot to me to be able to sit here and say that.

“Though that and through injuries, I gave it all I had. I hope that was contagious for the other guys.

“It felt like it was and the guys appreciated that.”

He would be absent for two games due to his family bereavement. Along with his personal loss, Larkin also endured through a pair of serious injuries. He would miss four games in December after being knocked unconscious by Ottawa’s Mathieu Joseph. Larkin was also out for eight games during the March stretch drive after suffering a lower-body injury.

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Stevie B

Reflect on the fact that right now (April) was supposed to be the month he would get his baby daughter and maybe, some playoff hockey, and he ended up with nothing and it must be painful right now because this month was supposed to be where all the fruits of his labours dropped in.

Having been through a still birth in my own family, I know which loss is more painful to him and I’m really feeling for him. He played a great season, I for one am very proud of the way he battled through. The loss of a child is enough to break some people down, I’ve seen it. Dylan was tested in a very real way this year, and as far as I’m concerned, was not found wanting. He was still there in the trenches fighting to the end.

Strange year, but years like this, if you let them, can be what makes you. I’ve seen that too.

Last edited 12 days ago by Stevie B
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JeffK

Well said. I have never experienced anything even remotely close to that tragedy so I cant speak much of it. I do know that Larkin seems a very good young man with alot of great qualities. He will be blessed some day & Hopefully they are able to experience parenthood with nothing but great times in their futures.

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Leah

Well said, Stevie B! 🥹

Your fans love and support you no matter what, Dylan! And we’ll continue to keep you and Mrs Larkin in our thoughts and prayers! ❤️🤍❤️🏒🪽🙏🏻

p.s Btw, Stevie…Is your last name Bauer by any chance? Lol I know kind of a strange question

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Stevie B

Hi Leah. My surname is Bell. I did once work with a guy called Steve Bauer though. Was a long long time ago! Worked with him in a warehouse, my first job straight after school. Probably not your guy but you never know.

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Rolph

Amazing advice. You have my respect sir.

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Stevie B

Thankyou Rolph, thats very nice of you. Hopefully Dylan can put this pain behind him. One of the best pieces of advice my family member was given is to get straight back on the horse and try for the next kid straight away. The longer you leave it, the more fear works its way in. My story had a happy ending, we ended up with two happy, healthy twin boys and added a beautiful girl a few years after that. So losing a child doesn’t have to be the gamestopper that it feels like at the time. If you push through it, there are still some of life’s rewards to come and I hope someone passes that message along to Dylan.

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Pat B

My philosophy is: ‘Family’ first and ‘People’ always…. Army Values too!

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Cappy

Thank you to the Captain of the Detroit Red Wings, Mr. Dylan Larkin. Dylan, you played your ass off all season long and from me to you, you’re the engine of this team. I know you’re disappointed in not making the Stanley Cup playoffs.
I hope & pray that you will find sololice in your own special way concerning the loss of your daughter. I’ll be back again in the fall, when you once again lead the Detroit Red Wings onto the frozen floor.

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Pat B

I understand the situation Larkin and his family are going through; however; Service my country and my Mother passed when in Germany… and how many other service personnel lost someone. So my empathy goes so far. Talk to ‘Des’ Bailey’s wife and I served with him in Iraq… You live because we serve our country… Remember That!!!

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Pat B

On behalf of ‘Des’ Bailey’s family and I, we appreciate your support to our service personnel! Enjoy your off-season and looking forward to what is in-store for the 2024-25 season!!

Last edited 6 days ago by Pat B
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