Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar will retire after this season, his 20th in the NHL, he announced Thursday.
Kopitar, who helped lead the Kings to Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, turned 38 last month. The two-way center is entering the final season of a two-year extension he signed in July 2023 after playing his entire career with Los Angeles.
“It’s a time and a place where you reflect and imagine your path going forward,” Kopitar told ESPN after his announcement. “And yes, I still feel very good on the ice and everything, and I guess my numbers have been pretty good, but I have obviously a family at home that they probably need me just as bad if not more than the guys do on the ice.”
Editor’s Picks
One of the most respected, defensive-minded forwards in the league, Kopitar has won two Selke Trophies (2016, 2018) for the best defensive forward and three Lady Byng Trophies for gentlemanly play (2016, 2023, 2025).
According to those close to the captain, Kopitar wanted to make the announcement before the season so he could focus on the 2025-26 Kings, a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The Kings have not won a playoff series since winning their last Stanley Cup in 2014, losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round each of the past four seasons.
“When I made my mind up about retirement, I pledged myself that I was going to leave it all out there this season,” Kopitar said. “So, my focus is there. I want to play as best hockey as I possibly can. I obviously want us to play hockey in June and be extremely relevant this year as Los Angeles Kings.”
Kopitar held a news conference to announce his decision, flanked by his wife and two kids. He said he wanted to “get this out of the way now” because he didn’t want to be a distraction for the team. “If we’re in a fight down the stretch, the last thing I want to do is take attention from the team and put it on myself,” Kopitar said.
The Kings, under new general manager Ken Holland, made several additions this summer to help with that title push, including signing veterans Corey Perry (who played last season with the Oilers), Joel Armia, Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin.
Kopitar was encouraged by the team heading into training camp.
“We have a little bit older team now, more experienced guys that have won, guys that have played at the highest level for a long, long time,” Kopitar said. “So, I think if everybody pulls their weight, we’re going to make some noise. I realize that that’s 32 teams saying the same stuff right now, but I truly believe that we’re on the right path, we’re taking the right steps, and hopefully everything comes together for us.”
Kopitar said integrity is the biggest value he hopes to pass down to his two children.
“The one thing that we always talk about is just treat people nicely, be kind, really,” Kopitar said “When you’re on the ice, compete as hard as you can, do your very best, but you can do that with being a good person and treat people right around you.”
Kopitar will retire as a franchise legend. He already sits atop the Kings’ record book for games played (1,454) and assists (838), and he is 29 points from tying Marcel Dionne’s mark of 1,307 points as the team’s all-time leading scorer. Kopitar also is two back from Jeff Carter’s record for most overtime goals (11) in team history.
Kopitar is coming off another sound season, finishing second among Kings forwards in points (67) and ice time (18:57), trailing only linemate Adrian Kempe in both categories. Kopitar also tied for the team lead last season with seven game-winning goals.
Kopitar is regarded as a national hero in his native Slovenia. As the No. 11 pick of the 2005 draft, he became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL when he debuted in 2006-07. Although Kopitar has appeared for the Slovenian national team on various stages, including the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Slovenia did not qualify for the 2026 Milan Olympics, where NHL players are once again participating.
Kopitar made his announcement a few hours after the Los Angeles Dodgers said pitcher Clayton Kershaw was retiring following the MLB season. Kopitar and Kershaw have become friends throughout their lengthy careers in Los Angeles, though Kopitar said he was surprised to hear Kershaw’s news.
“Must have been something in the universe for us to decide to do it on the same day,” Kopitar said.
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
