Dylan Larkin has landed in hot water after videos of him partying with FBI Director Kash Patel surfaced online.
The celebration was held in honor of the U.S. team, of which Larkin is a member, after their gold-medal victory at the Olympics. Fans criticized Larkin for his lighthearted interactions with Patel, who is known for his love of hockey.
Kash Patel himself has also faced scrutiny, with reports claiming he may have attended the Olympics on a Department of Justice private plane. The FBI has since refuted these claims.
Dylan Larkin Was Spotted Partying With FBI Director Kash Patel
The boys are partying with Kash Patel rn on Dylan Larkin's IG live pic.twitter.com/zNLORT27m8
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) February 22, 2026
What began as a routine Instagram Live celebrating Team USA's Olympic gold medal win has unexpectedly placed Dylan Larkin in the middle of an online stir.
Larkin had gone live to give fans moments of himself and his teammates celebrating what looked like a locker-room party after the victory.
However, midway through the live show, FBI Director Kash Patel appeared in the background, and eventually on camera, grinning alongside Larkin as the hockey star proudly showed off his gold medal.
Clips from the livestream have since gone viral, with many netizens expressing surprise at seeing Patel in attendance, and even more at how friendly Larkin appeared with him.
The moment also sparked swift backlash online, as fans criticized Larkin for interacting with Patel, who has previously faced scrutiny over allegations that he used a federal aircraft to attend U.S. hockey games during the Olympics.
Fans Slammed The Hockey Player Over His Chummy Interaction With The FBI Director
https://t.co/1mDnThTJivpic.twitter.com/JLXRrFg1nu
— Ken Dilanian (@KDilanianMSNOW) February 22, 2026
As part of the criticism, fans claimed that they had lost respect for Larkin. "And there goes any respect I might have had for them," one person wrote on X.
Another commenter went further, claiming that by associating with Patel, Larkin was dishonoring the trust and support of hockey fans.
"This sucks. Larkin, think about the community you represent, the community that fills your arena, that cheers you on night after night," the netizen noted, while another said, "Lost all respect instantly."
"Partying with a pedophile protector after bringing those kids onto the ice is not a good look," a third user commented, referencing the FBI's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein saga.
One more wrote, "Disgusting. Partying with the man who is actively covering for pedofiIes. Classy."
"LMAO FINALLY A VALID REASON TO HATE DYLAN LARKIN," said another angry netizen.
Patel also received heat for the celebration, as one person asked, "WHY THE F-CK IS THE FBI DIRECTOR AT THE OLYMPICS?"
FBI Says Kash Patel Didn't Use Federal Resources To Fund Trip For Olympic Hockey Games
Elsewhere in the comment section, there were also angry comments directed at Patel for allegedly using a government plane to attend the U.S. Olympic team's hockey games.
While Patel did indeed use a government plane to arrive in Italy, where the competition is being held, the FBI claimed it wasn't "a personal trip," per the Daily Mail.
Via spokesperson Ben Williamson, the agency claimed that Patel's visit to Italy was all part of a work trip that was planned several months ago.
This includes meetings with ambassadors, Italian law enforcement officials, and U.S. agents assigned to the FBI's Legal Attaché office.
Williamson also claimed that the bureau plays a significant role in Olympic security, as a further defence for Patel's presence.
Dylan Larkin Opened Up About His Time At The Olympics
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Away from the growing backlash online, Larkin appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Games, as he formed connections with players from other teams.
"Olympic spirit, team chemistry, and there's something to that. When you're around all the other athletes, the best athletes in the world, and you get to talk to them and be around that environment, it's contagious," the center forward told the media, per an X post from The Athletic's Michael Russo.
"Being around winners, being around great athletes, was something that I'm very appreciative we did," Larkin added.
Dylan Larkin Pays Homage To Johnny And Matthew Gaudreau
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Larkin also paid homage to his fellow hockey professionals, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who lost their lives in a tragic accident in 2024.
"Johnny and Matty should be here....," he said to the press after the win.
Larkin added, "Somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn't go in. Ironic because it's on the defensive side. He would never have been back there. We miss him, and we love him, and we love his family."