Larkin Dolan made the rounds in junior hockey, eventually finding his fit this past season with the USPHL’s Motor City Gamblers.

Next year, the Aspen product and talented goaltender will head to college hockey after recently committing to NCAA Division III Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass.

“I knew a few guys that had committed there and they had a lot of good things to say, so I sent an email asking if they needed goalies for next season,” Dolan said. “It seemed like the hockey program has grown a lot in the last few years and talking to the coach (David McCauley), I realized it could be a great place to grow. Academics are definitely a priority. It’s part of the dream of playing college hockey, to leave with a degree. I think I’ll go with a Business major, but I’d love to maybe explore something else if the opportunity is there.”

This past season with the Gamblers, Dolan went 11-2-0 with a 2.53 GAA, a .919 save percentage and two shutouts.

“I was playing a lot in Motor City and was able to build consistency,” said Dolan. “We were a younger team, so I learned how to lead better.”

Before Motor City, Dolan saw previous time in USPHL circles with the Lake Tahoe Lakers and Charleston Colonials. He also played for the NA3HL’s Missoula Jr. Bruins and the EHL’s New York Applecore.

Back home, Dolan played for the Aspen Leafs, Vail Mountaineers, Colorado Thunderbirds and Rocky Mountain RoughRiders.

“I grew up in Aspen and there was a really strong youth program there,” Dolan said. “A few of my friends started playing pretty young and by the time I was seven, I was obsessed and finally started in the Mite program in Aspen. The Avalanche definitely played a role. Just having an NHL team so close fueled the passion for the whole youth hockey community here.

“Mark Sample is my goalie coach and definitely the most positive influence for me. I started working with him at 11 years old and he whipped me into shape and made sure I had the tools to play hockey for as long as possible.”

Looking ahead, Dolan has a list of reachable goals, both on and off the ice.

“The only short-term goal on my mind right now is to grow as much as possible during the next year,” said Dolan. “I’m ready to go back to basics and learn a lot and just work and compete. A long-term goal would be to continue with the game whether I’m able to play after school or not, I’d like to stay in it. I’m very open to everything right now and want to experience and grow as much as I can over the next four years and see where it takes me.”

Photo provided by Larkin Dolan

— Matt Mackinder

(April 27, 2023)