Twenty Years of Kopitar: The Player Who Defined the Kings’ Golden Era
- Karinna Leonard
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
After 20 seasons, Anže Kopitar's illustrious NHL career came to a close on April 26. He retires as one of the most accomplished players in Los Angeles Kings history: a two-time Stanley Cup champion, a three-time Lady Byng Trophy winner (with another nomination this year), recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award, and a two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner.
Kopitar leaves the game as the Kings’ all-time leader in both points (1,316) and games played (1,521), a testament not only to his skill but to his remarkable consistency. As the first Slovenian-born player in NHL history, he paved the way for future generations while establishing himself as one of the league’s premier two-way forwards. Kopitar's uncanny ability to control the game in all three zones became a defining feature of his play. He has also served as captain of the Kings since 2016, leaving behind difficult shoes to fill. Longtime teammate Drew Doughty was emotional when discussing his friend’s retirement, confessing, "He just meant so much to this organization, and it’s going to be tough without him.”
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Kopitar replied, "A good teammate. And a two-time Stanley Cup champion. That works, too." That understated answer reflects the defining traits of his career: humility, reliability, and durability. Over 20 seasons, Kopitar played 75 or more games in 15 of them—an extraordinary mark of longevity in such a physically demanding league. Night after night, year after year, he was a constant presence for the Kings, anchoring both their offense and defense.
After being drafted 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar made his debut in 2006, scoring two goals in what was ultimately a loss. In his post-game interview, he told media: "It was pretty good. It would have been even better if we'd won. I tried to give it my all, which I hope showed."
That level-headed humility became a hallmark of his career. This March, when he became the Kings' all-time leader in points, he echoed that same mindset, saying, "I mean, quite honestly, feels pretty shitty, losing the game. I can imagine it would feel a lot better if we finished it off and won the game." His dedication to the Kings and team-first mentality has consistently been the driving thing to define him.
Quinton Byfield, his teammate since 2020 and widely seen as the franchise’s future, praised him: "He’s meant so much to this organization and just to myself as well. He’s taught me a ton, but the one thing I take away is just his whole demeanor. He stays never too high, never too low. It’s a cliché but he’s always just even keel and level-headed."
Even opponents took notice of his storied career and took time to honor him as he retires. Brad Marchand said, "He’s a great player. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer...When you have a guy that’s that responsible but also that much of a threat, that makes it very difficult all over the ice because you’re never going to get easy plays. You’re not going to get any easy plays to the net. You’re not going to get easy rushes. And then on the flip side, if you cheat, he’s going to make you pay. He’s just a great player kind of all throughout the game."
His legacy extends far beyond the NHL, and every summer he co-hosts a hockey academy in Slovenia with Tomaž Razingar. Held in the small town of Bled, the camp brings together young players from around the world for the opportunity to learn directly from NHL talent. His continued commitment to growing the game in his home country underscores the global impact of his career, proving that anyone can become a sports icon.
Despite his lengthy and successful career, Kopitar advanced past the first round of the playoffs only three times in 20 seasons—yet two of those runs ended in Stanley Cup championships, highlighting his ability to deliver when it mattered most.
Kopitar’s defining moments came during the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals and 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, where he helped deliver the first two championships in franchise history for the Los Angeles Kings.
In 2012, the Kings entered the playoffs as the eighth seed, barely qualifying. What followed was one of the most dominant postseason runs in NHL history. The Kings went 16-4, including a remarkable 10-1 record on the road, becoming the first eighth seed to ever win the Stanley Cup. Kopitar finished tied with then-captain Dustin Brown for the league lead in scoring with 20 points.
Two years later, the 2014 run tested the Kings in an entirely different yet historic way. They became the first team in NHL history to win three Game 7s on the road in a single postseason and famously erased a 3–0 series deficit against the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Kopitar solely led all playoff scorers with 26 points, once again anchoring the team through its most critical moments.
Sitting with his two children after his final game, Kopitar reflected on the moment, saying, "It was hard to keep it together. Being here for 20 years — more than half of my lifetime — it's extremely special. It's been home for us for 20 years, and I really appreciate the fans. They've been behind me personally. They've been behind the team for all those years. I can truly say that they're probably one of the best fan bases in the entire league."
Kopitar’s legacy will be measured in more than championships and records. For 20 years, he was the steady center of everything the Kings built—maybe not the loudest presence, but often the most essential. The next time the Kings lift the Stanley Cup, it will be without him at the center of it, a reminder of just how much of their success was shaped by his dedication and consistency. Few players leave behind a career defined equally by how they played and how they carried themselves. For that alone, the game is better for having had Anže Kopitar in it.
Edited by: Kelly Cassette
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