Few players in professional sports have shaped a franchise as quietly as Anže Kopitar. For two decades, the Slovenian center anchored the Los Angeles Kings with a blend of skill and stability that turned him into the team’s all-time scoring leader at 1,316 points, according to NHL.com (official league site). With his retirement now official, we take a measured look at the career of one of hockey’s most understated champions.
NHL seasons: 20 · Games played: 1,521 · Goals: 452 · Assists: 864 · Points: 1,316 · Stanley Cups: 2
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth and post-retirement plans
- Specific fluency levels in each of his four languages
- Future involvement with the Kings organization or Slovenian hockey
- No official post-retirement role announced
- Likely remains involved in hockey as ambassador or coach
Ten key facts about Anže Kopitar tell the story of a player who never sought headlines but built a Hall-of-Fame case through consistency.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anže Kopitar |
| Date of birth | August 24, 1987 |
| Place of birth | Jesenice, Slovenia (then Yugoslavia) |
| Height | 6’3″ (191 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL Draft | 2005, 11th overall pick by Los Angeles Kings (Wikipedia) |
| Teams played for | Los Angeles Kings (entire career) |
| Captaincy | 2016–2026 (NHL.com) |
What happened with Anze Kopitar?
When did Kopitar announce his retirement?
In September 2025, Kopitar stated publicly that the upcoming 2025–26 NHL season would be his last, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet). He had signed a two-year extension in July 2023 that was set to expire at the end of that campaign, making the timing a natural transition.
How did his final game go?
Kopitar’s career ended when the Kings were eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the 2026 Western Conference First Round, according to NHL.com (official league site). He played 20 seasons without ever missing the playoffs for a stretch long enough to dim his reputation as a big-game performer.
What was his overall career timeline?
Kopitar debuted in 2006–07, finishing his rookie season with 61 points. He passed Marcel Dionne for the Kings franchise points record on March 14, 2026 (Wikipedia), and became the 25th player in NHL history to reach 1,500 regular-season games. He finished with 1,521 games, 452 goals, 864 assists, and 1,316 points.
Kopitar’s longevity in a single uniform is increasingly rare. For the Kings, replacing a player who led the team in scoring 15 times (ESPN) means rebuilding the very identity of the franchise.
Did Anze Kopitar win a Stanley Cup?
The short answer is twice, and he was central to both runs. Kopitar won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014, according to Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster).
How many Stanley Cups has Kopitar won?
Two — the Kings’ first championship in 2012 and a repeat in 2014. In the 2012 Final, Kopitar scored the Game 1 overtime winner against the New Jersey Devils, a moment Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster) describes as turning the series. He also led the 2014 postseason with 26 points during the Kings’ second Cup victory.
What was his role in those championship runs?
Kopitar was the Kings’ top two-way center, tasked with shutting down opponents’ top lines while producing offense. He recorded 89 playoff points (27 goals, 62 assists) in 107 career postseason games (NHL.com).
The Kings’ two Cups came during a three-year window that also included a Western Conference Final loss in 2013. Kopitar’s absence forces the franchise to find a new identity after relying on his two-way excellence for 20 years.
How many languages does Anze Kopitar speak?
Kopitar speaks four languages: Slovenian, Serbian, English, and German, according to Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia).
Which languages does Kopitar speak?
His native Slovenian is complemented by Serbian, which he learned from his parents’ background and region. He learned English as a teenager when he moved to North America to pursue hockey. German was acquired during his early exposure to European hockey culture.
Why does he speak so many languages?
Growing up in Jesenice, a small industrial town in Slovenia, Kopitar was immersed in a multilingual environment. His father, Matjaž, a former player and coach, emphasized communication skills that later helped Anže integrate quickly into the NHL.
How does his multilingualism help him in hockey?
Speaking multiple languages allowed Kopitar to serve as a bridge between teammates from different backgrounds. As captain, he could communicate directly with European players, North Americans, and opponents alike.
Does Anze Kopitar have kids?
Yes, Kopitar is married to Ines Kopitar (née Vinski) and they have two daughters, Neža and Zala, according to Wikipedia.
How many children does Kopitar have?
Two daughters.
What are their names?
Neža and Zala.
Is he married?
Yes, to Ines Kopitar. The couple is known to keep their family life private, but Kopitar has occasionally credited his wife for supporting his career during long seasons away from home.
What is Anze Kopitar’s family background?
Where was Kopitar born?
He was born on August 24, 1987, in Jesenice, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), according to Wikipedia.
Who are his parents?
His father, Matjaž Kopitar, was a professional hockey player and later a coach who introduced Anže to the sport. His mother’s name is not widely publicized.
Did any family members influence his hockey career?
His younger brother, Gašper Kopitar, also played hockey professionally, though not at the NHL level. The family’s hockey lineage runs deep in Slovenia, a country that has produced few NHL players.
Despite being the first Slovenian in NHL history (ESPN), Kopitar never played for the national team in major tournaments after his NHL career began. He represents a quiet pipeline that started with his father’s coaching.
Timeline: Anže Kopitar’s 20-year career
From draft day to retirement, here is the sequence of milestones that defined his legacy.
- 2005 – Drafted 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings (Wikipedia)
- 2006–2007 – NHL debut; finishes rookie season with 61 points
- 2007 – Plays in NHL YoungStars Game
- 2012 – Wins first Stanley Cup; leads playoffs in scoring (Sportsnet)
- 2014 – Wins second Stanley Cup; records 26 points in playoffs (Sportsnet)
- 2016 – Named captain of the Kings; first Selke Trophy (Wikipedia)
- 2018 – Second Selke Trophy (Wikipedia)
- 2020 – Reaches 1,000 career points
- 2025 – Announces retirement intention; Kings extend final season (ESPN)
- 2026 – Plays final game; passes Marcel Dionne for Kings franchise points record (Wikipedia)
What’s clear and what isn’t
Confirmed facts
- Kopitar’s retirement at the end of the 2025–26 season (NHL.com)
- Two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) and two Selke Trophies (Sportsnet)
- Married with two daughters, speaks four languages (Wikipedia)
- Entire NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth and post-retirement plans
- Specific fluency levels in each of his four languages
- Future involvement with the Kings organization or Slovenian hockey
Voices from Kopitar’s career
“I’m just grateful for everything this game has given me.”
— Anže Kopitar, as told to ESPN (sports news outlet)
“He defined what it means to be a King — humble, hardworking, and elite.”
— Los Angeles Kings general manager, statement to NHL.com (official league site)
Summary: The void left behind
Anže Kopitar retires as the most accomplished player in Los Angeles Kings history. His 20 seasons of stability provided a foundation that few franchises ever enjoy. For the Kings, the challenge is not just replacing points but replacing a quiet leader who made everyone around him better. For the NHL, the loss of a true two-way center who never chased attention marks the end of an era. The pattern is clear: sustainability built on character is harder to replicate than flash. For the Kings’ front office, the next decade will define whether they can rebuild without that silent anchor.
Related reading: Terence Crawford
For more context on his legacy and family life, a detailed look at his career offers further insight into the Slovenian centerman’s impact on and off the ice.
Frequently asked questions
What is Anze Kopitar’s jersey number?
Kopitar wore number 11 for the Los Angeles Kings throughout his entire NHL career.
Has Anze Kopitar ever played for another NHL team?
No — he played his entire 20-season career with the Los Angeles Kings, making him one of the few one-team players in modern NHL history.
How many NHL All-Star Games did Kopitar participate in?
He was a five-time NHL All-Star Game selection, according to ESPN (sports news outlet).
What individual awards has Anze Kopitar won?
He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy twice (2016, 2018) and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2022 (Wikipedia). He was also a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy nominee.
What is Kopitar’s connection to the Slovenian national hockey team?
Kopitar represented Slovenia at the IIHF World Championships multiple times early in his career, but did not play for the national team after becoming an NHL star.
How did Kopitar’s playing style earn him the Selke Trophy?
His ability to shut down elite opponents while consistently producing offense made him the prototype two-way center. The Selke Trophy is awarded to the forward who best excels defensively.
What is Anze Kopitar’s post-retirement plan?
He has not officially announced his plans, but speculation includes a front-office or ambassadorial role with the Kings or involvement in growing hockey in Slovenia.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Toronto Post, covering breaking Canadian news, municipal affairs and community stories.