Anže Kopitar

Anže Kopitar (pronounced [anˈʒɛ kɔˈpiːtaɾ], born 24 August 1987) is a Slovenian professional ice hockey centre serving as captain of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). The 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL upon making his debut in 2006. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and has led the team in scoring in all but two seasons and is fourth in franchise history in points, goals, and assists. Following the 2015–16 season, he was named the Kings' captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016, as well as the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly play the same year. He won his second Selke trophy in 2018.

Anže Kopitar
Kopitar with the Kings in 2015
Born	(1987-08-24) 24 August 1987 Jesenice, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Los Angeles Kings HK Kranjska Gora Södertälje SK
National team	Slovenia
NHL Draft	11th overall, 2005 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	2004–present
Website	www.anzeseleven.com

Kopitar played junior hockey for his hometown team HK Acroni Jesenice before moving to Sweden at age 16 to play in a more competitive league. He spent one season with the junior teams of the Södertälje SK organization, and then with the senior team of the top-level Elitserien. He moved to North America to join the Kings in 2006, one year after he was drafted, and finished fourth in the Calder Memorial Trophy voting for the league's top rookie. Kopitar's offensive talent was immediately apparent when he joined the Kings, though his defensive developed in later seasons and he has become recognized for his two-way play, being a finalist for the Selke Trophy 3 times, and a Selke Trophy winner, twice. In 2018 he was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Praised as one of the best players in the League, Kopitar won the Stanley Cup championship with the Kings in 2012 and 2014, leading the playoffs in points on both occasions (tied with teammate Dustin Brown in 2012). Internationally, Kopitar has represented the Slovenian national team in several junior and senior tournaments, as well as at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He also played for Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Personal life

Kopitar was born in Jesenice, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) to Matjaž and Mateja Kopitar.[1] Matjaž played hockey for HK Acroni Jesenice, winning the league title three times, and was a member of the Yugoslav and Slovenian national teams.[2][3] He also coached HK Acroni Jesenice of the Austrian Hockey League during the 2006–07 season[4] and the Slovenian national team from 2010 until 2015.[3][5] Mateja worked at the family restaurant, Hrušica, a village about five kilometres from Jesenice.[6]

When Kopitar was four, his father first taught him how to skate; Matjaž built an ice rink in their backyard in Hrušica, and Kopitar would play there whenever he could.[2] Kopitar has a brother, Gašper, who is five years younger. Gašper also plays hockey; when the Kopitar family moved to Los Angeles, Gašper joined a junior team sponsored by the Kings. He then played for the Portland Winterhawks of the major junior Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), before turning professional with Mora IK in Sweden.[7][8] Kopitar's grandmother taught English at a local high school, and both Kopitar and his brother learned to speak English from her.[9] Kopitar speaks five languages: Slovene, Serbian, German, Swedish, and English.[10] He enjoys playing football and is a declared supporter of Slovenian football club NK Maribor.[11][12]

Kopitar is renowned in Slovenia due to his hockey exploits, with a government-sponsored website declaring that after he won the Stanley Cup in 2012 he was "the most recognised Slovenian sportsman."[13] As a youth, he played in the 2000 and 2001 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a team from Slovenia.[14] He also hosts an annual charity golf tournament that benefits various groups, mainly youths.[15]

Kopitar lived with his parents until moving to Sweden, where he lived alone in an apartment.[16] After his first season in the NHL, the rest of Kopitar's family joined him in Los Angeles; Kopitar bought a home in Manhattan Beach in 2014.[17] Kopitar met Ines Dominc in Slovenia in 2005; they married in July 2013.[18] Their first child, a daughter named Neža, was born on 14 March 2015.[19] Their second child, son Jakob, was born 5 October 2016.[20]

Playing career

European career

In 2002, Kopitar began playing for the youth team of his hometown, HK Acroni Jesenice. He split the year between the team's under-18 and junior clubs, and also appeared in 11 games for the senior team HK Kranjska Gora of the Slovenian Ice Hockey League. Kopitar had four goals and four assists in the senior league, and recorded 76 points in 14 games for the Jesenice under-18 team and 27 points in 20 games for the junior club.[21] He led the Slovenian Ice Hockey League in scoring at the age of 16, and Swedish scout Lars Söder recruited Kopitar for the Elitserien in 2004 (Söder had originally discovered Kopitar when he was 13 at the 2001 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Vuokatti, Finland).[22]

The Slovenian Ice Hockey League did not have a high enough skill level, so Kopitar decided that if he wanted to improve his career prospects, he would have to leave the country.[16] He was offered a chance to play in Sweden for Södertälje SK, eventually joining their junior team where he led the League in scoring, with 49 points (28 goals, 21 assists) in 30 games. Prior to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar was ranked the top European skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[23] After his first season in Sweden, he was chosen 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2005 Draft. Unlike most top-ranked prospects, Kopitar was not at the draft, but in Sweden playing in preseason games. Some members of the team had a party for the draft, including Niclas Bergfors, who was selected 23rd overall by the New Jersey Devils.[6] Prior to the NHL Draft, Kopitar was also selected in the CHL Import Draft by the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[24] He declined to move to North America, however, hoping to further his development by continuing to play against professionals in the Elitserien, rather than against major junior players in the WHL.[25]

Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar signed an entry-level contract with the Kings on 7 September 2005, but returned to play in Sweden for another season.[26] The next year, 2006, he accepted an invitation to Los Angeles' rookie camp. He made his NHL debut on 6 October 2006, against the Anaheim Ducks and scored two goals in the game.[25] In January 2007, he was named to the NHL YoungStars Game, an event included at the All-Star Game festivities; Kopitar recorded two goals and three assists.[27] Kopitar completed his first NHL season third among rookies in scoring, behind Evgeni Malkin and Paul Šťastný, with 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points.[28] It marked the fifth-highest point total by a Kings rookie, and the highest since Luc Robitaille in 1986–87.[27] He finished fourth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.[29] Kopitar was awarded the Mark Bavis Memorial Award as the best first-year member of the Kings and was also named the Kings' Most Popular Player.[30]

Kopitar practicing with the Kings in 2007. Kopitar made his NHL debut in the 2006–07 season.

The following season, 2007–08, Kopitar was selected to represent the Western Conference at the 56th NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta, his first all-star game appearance. He was the youngest player in the game, nearly two years younger than the second-youngest player, Paul Stastny (Sidney Crosby was younger, but had to withdraw prior to the game due to injury).[27] Kopitar finished the regular season with 32 goals and 45 assists for 77 points; he led the Kings in assists and points and was second in goals.[31] Kopitar won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the most valuable player on the Kings.[30]

Early in the 2008–09 season, on 11 October 2008, Kopitar signed a seven-year contract extension with the Kings worth $47.6 million. The contract would keep Kopitar with the team until the conclusion of the 2015–16 season.[32] He finished the season with 66 points in 82 games, leading the Kings in both assists and points, while again finishing second in goals scored.[33] The following season, Kopitar scored his first career NHL hat-trick (3 goals in one game) on 22 October 2009 against the Dallas Stars.[34] He finished the 2009–10 season with a career-high 34 goals and 81 points.[35] For the second time in his career, Kopitar won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the Kings' most valuable player, and led the team in scoring for the third-straight year.[36] Kopitar made his Stanley Cup playoff debut that season, as the Kings qualified for the post-season for the first time since 2002.[37] The Kings lost in the Western Conference Quarterfinals to the Vancouver Canucks, and Kopitar finished tied for third on the team with five points in six games.[33]

Kopitar played with SHL's Mora IK during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

The 2010–11 season saw Kopitar play in his 325th consecutive NHL game, which set a new Kings team record, passing Marcel Dionne on 15 March 2011.[38] However eleven days later, Kopitar's season and ironman streak came to an abrupt end at 330 games after he suffered a broken ankle.[39] Despite the injury setback, Kopitar led the team in scoring for the fourth straight season with 73 points, and was named the team's most valuable player for the second time.[40] In the 2011–12 season, Kopitar led the Kings in scoring with 76 points, including a career-best 51 assists.[41] The Kings won the Stanley Cup as playoff champions, their first title in team history. Kopitar finished tied with Kings captain Dustin Brown to lead the team in playoff scoring, with each having 20 points from 20 games played.[42] Kopitar became the first Slovenian-born player to win the Stanley Cup.[8] In recognition of this, Kopitar was named as the 2012 Slovenian male Athlete of the Year.[43]

The 2012–13 NHL season was delayed due to the NHL lockout, so Kopitar joined his younger brother Gašper on Mora IK of the Swedish second-tier league HockeyAllsvenskan, signing a contract with the team for the 2012–13 season.[44] He played 31 games for Mora, scoring 34 points, before the NHL lockout ended in January 2013. A shortened, 48-game NHL season commenced, Kopitar recorded 42 points in 47 games to once again lead the Kings in scoring, and was named the team's best defensive player.[45]

The 2013–14 season saw Kopitar lead the team in scoring for the seventh consecutive season, with 70 points, and was named both the team's most valuable player and best defensive player. He also was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as best defensive forward in the NHL for the first time.[45] In the playoffs, Kopitar led the entire league in scoring, recording 26 points in 26 games, as the Kings won their second Stanley Cup championship.[46] The next season saw Kopitar tie Marcel Dionne as the only player in Kings history to lead the team in scoring eight times, having scored 16 goals and 48 assists for 64 points.[47] Kopitar was a finalist for the Selke Trophy again, and also for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship.[48]

During the 2015–16 season Kopitar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Kings. It would pay him an average of $10 million per season until the end of the 2023–24 season.[49] He finished the season with 74 points, setting a team record by leading the Kings in scoring for a ninth consecutive season.[50] Kopitar also was awarded both the Lady Byng and Frank J. Selke Trophies, the first player from the Kings to win either award.[51] He also won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the most valuable player on the Kings for the fifth time.[52] On 16 June 2016, Kopitar was named the captain of the Kings, replacing Dustin Brown.[53] In his first season as captain of the Kings, Kopitar saw his production drop, and he finished with 52 points, second on the team and ending his nine-year streak of leading the team in scoring.[54]

Kopitar returned to form in the 2017–18 season scoring a career high 35 goals and 57 assists for 92 points, helping the Kings get back to the playoffs. After the season, Kopitar was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy and was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy for the second time in his career.[55]

International play

Kopitar with Slovenian national team at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.
Medal record
Representing  Slovenia
Ice hockey
Representing Team Europe
World Cup
	2016 Toronto

Kopitar first played in an international tournament when he participated in the Division I (second level) tournament of the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships for the Slovenian national junior team. He appeared in five games and recorded three points.[56] The following year he appeared in the 2004 U18 tournament and the 2004 World Junior Championships. Slovenia competed in Division I at both tournaments, one level below the top division. Kopitar scored six goals and eight points in five games during the under-18 tournament and finished second overall for goals scored and third for points, leading Slovenia in both categories;[57][58] at the World Juniors he had one goal and one assist in five games.[59]

In 2005 Kopitar appeared in three international tournaments for Slovenia; he took part in the U18 Championship, World Juniors, and the senior World Championship, his first tournament with the Slovenian national team.[22] Slovenia competed at the Division I level for both junior tournaments, but at the top level for the senior championship. He would play his last junior tournament in 2006 at the Division I level, with six points in five games. At the 2006 World Championship he played for Slovenia at the top level and recorded three goals and nine points in six games, tying for fifth among scoring leaders.[60] Slovenia was relegated to Division I for 2007, where Kopitar had 13 assists and 14 points, leading the tournament in both categories.[61] Back in the top division for the 2008 IIHF World Championship, Kopitar appeared in five games and had four points to lead his team, though Slovenia was once again relegated.[62]

Slovenia qualified for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi; as the qualifying games were held during the NHL season Kopitar was unable to participate, though his father Matjaž coached the team and Gašper played in the matches.[63] Though Gašper was part of the team that secured qualification for Slovenia, he was not named to the Olympic roster.[64] Kopitar helped Slovenia reach the quarterfinals of the tournament by scoring two goals and one assist.[65][66]

Kopitar was also named to play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey for Team Europe, which includes players from most of Europe (the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Sweden have their own teams).[67] Prior to the announcement Kopitar had expressed excitement towards the concept, which was to be introduced during the tournament, noting that as a Slovenian he had few opportunities to play in tournaments like this.[68]

Playing style

Kopitar (back) prepares to take a face-off in the NHL. Kopitar is known for being skilled at taking face-offs, holding one of the highest career averages in the NHL.

Kopitar is known in the NHL as one of the most effective two-way forwards, in that he is effective both as an offensive and defensive player.[2] He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is given to the best defensive forward in the NHL, in 2016, after being a finalist for the award in both 2014 and 2015.[69] He is known for being skilled at taking faceoffs, with one of the highest averages in the league during his career.[70] He is also skilled at offence, and led the Kings in team scoring from 2008 until 2016.[71][54]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	HD Hidria Jesenice	SVN U18		14	38	38	76	10		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	HD Hidria Jesenice	SVN U20		16	12	10	22	4		4	3	2	5	4
2002–03	HK Kranjska Gora	SVN		11	4	4	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	HD Hidria Jesenice	SVN U20		20	30	24	54	16		5	2	4	6	0
2003–04	HK Kranjska Gora	SVN		21	14	11	25	10		4	1	1	2	0
2004–05	Södertälje SK	SWE U18		1	1	2	3	0		1	0	0	0	2
2004–05	Södertälje SK	J20		30	28	21	49	26		2	1	1	2	0
2004–05	Södertälje SK	SEL		5	0	0	0	0		10	0	0	0	0
2005–06	Södertälje SK	SEL		47	8	12	20	28		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		72	20	41	61	24		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	32	45	77	22		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	27	39	66	32		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	34	47	81	16		6	2	3	5	2
2010–11	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		75	25	48	73	20		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	25	51	76	20		20	8	12	20	9
2012–13	Mora IK	Allsv		31	10	24	34	14		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		47	10	32	42	16		18	3	6	9	12
2013–14	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	29	41	70	24		26	5	21	26	14
2014–15	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		79	16	48	64	10		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		81	25	49	74	16		5	2	2	4	2
2016–17	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		76	12	40	52	28		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	35	57	92	20		4	1	1	2	0
2018–19	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		81	22	38	60	30		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		70	21	41	62	16		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1,073	333	617	950	294		79	21	45	66	39

International

Year	Team	Comp		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003	Slovenia	WJC18 (Div I)		5	2	1	3	0
2004	Slovenia	WJC (Div I)		5	1	1	2	0
2004	Slovenia	WJC18 (Div I)		5	6	2	8	0
2005	Slovenia	WJC (Div I)		5	10	3	13	6
2005	Slovenia	WJC18 (Div I)		5	6	5	11	14
2005	Slovenia	OGQ		3	1	1	2	2
2005	Slovenia	WC		6	1	0	1	2
2006	Slovenia	WJC (Div I)		5	5	1	6	4
2006	Slovenia	WC		6	3	6	9	2
2007	Slovenia	WC (Div I)		5	1	13	14	2
2008	Slovenia	WC		5	3	1	4	2
2014	Slovenia	OG		5	2	1	3	4
2015	Slovenia	WC		7	1	3	4	0
2016	Team Europe	WCup		6	0	4	4	2
2019	Slovenia	WC (Div IA)		5	2	5	7	2
Junior totals				30	30	13	43	24
Senior totals				48	14	34	48	18

YoungStar Games

Year	Location		G	A	Pts
2007	Dallas		2	3	5
Totals			2	3	5

All-Star Games

Year	Location		G	A	Pts
2008	Atlanta		0	0	0
2011	Carolina		2	0	2
2015	Columbus		0	0	0
2018	Tampa Bay		0	2	2
2020	St. Louis		0	4	4
Totals			2	6	8

• All statistics are taken from NHL.com.[66]

Awards and honours

Kopitar celebrates with the Stanley Cup, after the Kings won the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

Award	Year
NHL
NHL YoungStars Game	2007
NHL All-Star Game	2008, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2020
Stanley Cup champion	2012, 2014
Frank J. Selke Trophy	2016, 2018
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy	2016
Los Angeles Kings
Most Popular Player	2007, 2011
Mark Bavis Memorial Award	2007
Bill Libby Memorial Award	2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016
Leading Scorer Award	2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020
Best Defensive Player	2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Slovenian Ice Hockey League
Points Leader	2004

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71. Zupke, Curtis (16 June 2016). "Kings name Kopitar captain". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• Official website

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Lauri Tukonen	Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick 2005	Succeeded by Jonathan Bernier
Preceded by Dustin Brown	Los Angeles Kings captain 2016–present	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Patrice Bergeron Patrice Bergeron	Frank J. Selke Trophy winner 2016 2018	Succeeded by Patrice Bergeron Ryan O'Reilly
Preceded by Jiri Hudler	Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner 2016	Succeeded by Johnny Gaudreau