Anze Kopitar, the celebrated captain of the Los Angeles Kings, a pivotal figure in their two Stanley Cup victories between 2012 and 2014, revealed Thursday his intention to conclude his NHL career at the close of the 2025-26 season. The approaching season will represent Kopitar’s 20th and swansong season as a competitor, and the declaration of his departure materializes shortly after he commemorated his 38th birthday.
Kopitar, who has devoted his entire playing career to the Kings, is entering the final year of a two-year contract extension that was agreed upon in 2023, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the team’s chronicles. Recognized as a two-way center, particularly for his defensive capabilities, Kopitar holds the Kings’ record for most games contested (1,454) and assists recorded (838). He is also nearing Marcel Dionne’s all-time leading scorer record, currently trailing by 30 points (Dionne’s record stands at 1,307 points). In the preceding year, Kopitar ranked second on the Kings with 67 points and time on ice (18:57), and he was tied for the team lead with seven game-winning goals.
The Kings drafted Kopitar as the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, marking a significant moment for Slovenia when he became the first Slovenian player in the NHL upon his debut in 2006-07. Since then, he has evolved into a fundamental component of the Kings franchise, notably contributing to their Stanley Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2014. He has also garnered considerable admiration across the league, having been awarded the Selke Trophy twice (2016, 2018) and securing three Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship, including two in the past three seasons in 2023 and 2025.
