Apr 14, 2025
By Rachel Luscher (@rachel_luscher)
Joey Larson took care of four career milestones in the span of five days. The first was accomplished by stepping on the ice in his professional debut with the Bridgeport Islanders on Apr. 5, and the second came shortly after racking up his first professional point with an assist on a Chris Terry deflection. The winger exploded with two goals on Apr. 9, rounding out a huge week with not only his first pro tally, but his first career multi-goal game.
“I got the nerves out of the way after the first game, now I can play my game and feel comfortable out there,” Larson said.
The 24-year-old winger was able to settle in a little more in his second pro outing, getting to his game effectively and coming up big offensively.
“I felt a little more comfortable out there tonight, finishing hits and playing the right way and the goals just came from that,” Larson said. “Great plays by my teammates.”
Larson signed a one-year, entry-level deal in late March after his season with Michigan State ended with a Big Ten tournament championship on Mar. 22, but a first-round upset at the NCAA tournament against Cornell on Mar. 27. Though Michigan’s postseason run was cut short, Larson had the opportunity to begin his professional hockey career.
In making the transition from NCAA hockey to the pro game, he noticed the quicker speed in his first game in Bridgeport, along with the size and skill of the AHL.
“I think the Big Ten does a really good job of preparing you for this level,” Larson said. “But the pace is a little faster, and obviously guys are just bigger and stronger. But I feel that college hockey prepared me for the next level.”
Playing for a school in the Big Ten was a goal for Larson, who started his colligate career with Northern Michigan University, where he totaled 27 points (13g, 14a) in 36 games before transferring to Michigan State, racking up 56 points (26g, 30a) across two seasons.
Larson said he’s always as an offensive-minded player – he put up 66 points (32g, 34a) in 61 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL prior to his NCAA career – but Michigan State helped him strengthen his defensive game, developing him into a well-rounded player.
“I think they did a good job with me in the last two years,” Larson said. “I was pretty offensive going in, but maybe my defensive game wasn’t as…
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