Team USA’s Dylan Larkin Gushes About Wife Kenzy, Daughter Lennyn Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics (Exclusive)

As he prepares to represent Team USA on Olympic ice for the first time, Detroit Red Wings star Dylan Larkin has quite the cheering section back home. 

Dylan, 29, and his wife, Kenzy, who got married in August 2023, welcomed their first baby together, daughter Lennyn, in May 2025. 

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Dylan recalled the “immediate love” he felt for Lennyn the first time he saw her. 

“I met my daughter and I just instantly loved her so much and the perspective that she puts into my life,” said Dylan, while promoting his partnership with Charmin. “If you have a tough night and you get home, they’re not as tough.”

Dylan admitted that the grind of an NHL season hasn’t made his first year of fatherhood easy. 

“We have long road trips, that’s been really hard,” he said. “I never really expected that. I love to play hockey. I love to be an NHL player. But after a long road trip, I’m ready to get home and see her. She changes fast. You come home and it’s like a whole new baby. You do miss out on things. The perspective and the love — people say it — but when you experience it, it’s pretty special.”

Dylan credited Kenzy with running the show back home when he’s away.

“She is everything and more,” Dylan gushed. “She allows me to focus on doing what I have to do. She’s the rock of our family, for sure. Just everything she sacrifices to be a mom and for allowing me to go out and play hockey, it’s just amazing. I’m so thankful for her.”

Dylan, a native of Waterford, Michigan, will hit the ice with Team USA when they open their quest for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Latvia on Thursday, February 12. 

After the intensity of the United States’ games against Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off last year, Dylan is hoping Team USA’s path crosses with the Canadians again in Italy. 

“You grow up going to tournaments there, playing against Toronto or Quebec or out west, and you learn pretty quick that they’re not as welcoming as most Canadians are,” Dylan said with a laugh. “You learn pretty quick that there’s a strong dislike between hockey players. I think especially when you put on the Canada and USA jerseys, you just don’t like each other.”

Dylan added, “They probably think we’re very arrogant, and we think they are entitled to winning and arrogant for that. It’s back and forth.”

While hockey fans hope for another USA-Canada showdown at the 2026 Games, Dylan also recently starred in a commercial for Charmin Ultra Strong, the official toilet paper of Team USA,. which put him firmly outside of his comfort zone. 

“I’m a confident athlete, but not a confident actor,” he said. “The whole Charmin team made me look really good. I’ll just put it that way. It’s been such an honor to be involved with them.”

Dylan continued, “To be an ambassador for a national brand is something that means a lot to me. It’s been a really great response from fans and family and friends.”