Anže Kopitar
Anže Kopitar is a Slovenian professional ice hockey centre best known for his long career with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Anže Kopitar is a Slovenian former professional ice hockey centre who spent his entire NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings. He was the first Slovenian to play in the NHL and won two Stanley Cups.
Key details
Kopitar was selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in 2006, becoming the first Slovenian player in the league. He played his entire career with the Kings, serving as captain and retiring after the 2025–26 season as the franchise's all-time points leader.
Why it matters
Kopitar is widely regarded as the most accomplished Slovenian ice hockey player in history. His success as a two-way forward and team leader made him a trailblazer for Slovenian players in North America and a key figure in the Kings' two Stanley Cup championships.
What he achieved
Kopitar won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and 2014. Individually, he earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy twice (2016, 2018) as the NHL's top defensive forward and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times for sportsmanship and skill.
In short
- Played entire NHL career with Los Angeles Kings
- First Slovenian to play in the NHL
- Won two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014)
- Won Selke Trophy twice and Lady Byng three times
Kopitar is relevant to Canadian readers through the NHL, which includes several Canadian teams and a large Canadian hockey audience. His career is also notable in the broader North American hockey context as one of the league’s elite two-way forwards.
Quick questions
Who is Anže Kopitar?
What team did Anže Kopitar play for his entire career?
When did Anže Kopitar retire?
Sources
- National Hockey League — https://www.nhl.com/player/anze-kopitar-8471685Supports: Birth date, birthplace, position, draft details, NHL debut, awards, and career with the Los Angeles Kings.
- Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anze_KopitarSupports: Slovenian nationality, first Slovenian to play in the NHL, career with the Kings, Stanley Cup wins, and retirement announcement.
- ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio?id=3183Supports: Position, team, birthdate, draft information, awards, and active career status.
- CBS Sports — https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/565682/anze-kopitar/Supports: Career points milestone and Kings all-time points leadership.
- The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7191132/2026/04/13/anze-kopitar-la-kings-retirement/Supports: Career legacy, franchise records, championships, and retirement context.