Kopitar receives loud ovation from Kings fans before final home opener 

Team captain to retire after 20th season in NHL

COL@LAK: Kings fans honor Kopitar with ovation on opening night vs. Avalanche

By Anna Kulesa
@akulesa_ NHL.com Staff Writer

Anze Kopitar had a greeting fit for a king.

The Los Angeles Kings captain received a warm ovation from fans during player introductions before what is slated to be his final home opener at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

Kopitar saluted the roaring crowd as he skated on the ice before the Kings faced the Colorado Avalanche.

In September, the Kings star announced he will be retiring after the end of this season.

Kopitar is entering his 20th NHL season. He was drafted by the Kings with the 11th pick in the 2005 NHL Draft. He helped the franchise to two Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014.

In 2016 and 2018, Kopitar won the Selke Trophy, as the League's best defensive forward.

The veteran forward was named the captain of the Kings in June 2016. Born in Slovenia, he is the first player from the country to play in the NHL.

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