Slovenian forward Anže Kopitar, both the most decorated Slovene and Los Angeles King in hockey history, played his final game after confirming that this season would be his last, retiring at age 38 with two Stanley Cups, and an assortment of individual trophies, including a Messier, three Lady Byng and two Selke awards.

The eleventh overall pick of the 2005 NHL Draft, Kopitar joined the Kings in 2006 after spending two seasons with Södertälje of the Elitserien in Sweden, becoming the first Slovenian-born (and as of this writing, just second ever) player in the NHL. Spending all twenty of his pro seasons in Los Angeles, Kopitar is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and points, retiring with 452 goals and 1,316 points in 1,521 career games, along with another 89 points in 107 career playoff games. Kopitar was an integral part of the Kings’ first ever Stanley Cup victoryi n 2012, leading the playoffs in points, winning a second Cup in 2014. Serving as team captain for ten seasons, Kopitar was a five-time NHL All-Star, along with winning the Lady Byng Trophy three times for gentlemanly play (2016, 2023, 2025), along with two Selke Trophies for defensive play (2016, 2018) and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2022.

A native of the northern town of Jesenice, and the son of Slovenian national team star player and later head coach Matjaž Kopitar, Anže made his national team debut wiht the under-18 squad in 2003, playing at the World Junior Division 1 Championships in 2004 and 2005. It was in 2005 that Kopitar also competed both for the Turin 2006 Olympic qualifying team, and made his World Championship debut, his first of four Top Division appearances (2005, 2006, 2008, 2015), also competing in Divison IA in 2007 and 2019. While Kopitar would play on Olmypic qualifying squads in 2005, 2017 and 2021, ironically enough he would compete at the only games he wasn’t part of qualifying for, Sochi 2014, helping Slovenia to their first Olympic win since becoming an independent nation in 1991. Kopitar would also captain the “Team Europe” contingent at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, leading the team to a surprising second-place finish.

While Slovenia has yet to win the IHLC, losing all nine attempts dating back to 2003, Kopitar competed for the IHLC twice (in 2005 and 2006), but due to his immense impact on Slovenain hockey we have nevertheless chosen to feature his retirement despite never winning the IHLC. We wish Anže and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: NBC Sports – IIHF – HHOF – IOC