It sounds like something out of a movie script, but a country recently said to have seven hockey rinks produced one of the NHL's best players. So it is fitting that Kopitar made his mark near Hollywood with the Los Angeles Kings.
The first player from Slovenia to reach the NHL, Kopitar excels at both ends of the ice. With great hands and superb vision, he blends offensive creativity with defensive commitment. The result is a two-way force who seems to play his best hockey when the spotlight shines brightest.
It sounds like something out of a movie script, but a country recently said to have seven hockey rinks produced one of the NHL's best players. So it is fitting that Kopitar made his mark near Hollywood with the Los Angeles Kings.
The first player from Slovenia to reach the NHL, Kopitar excels at both ends of the ice. With great hands and superb vision, he blends offensive creativity with defensive commitment. The result is a two-way force who seems to play his best hockey when the spotlight shines brightest.
The Selke Trophy winner in 2015-16 and 2017-18 as the NHL's best defensive forward, Kopitar played a key role in the Kings' first two Stanley Cup championships. During the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kopitar tied for the League lead with eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points, a plus-16 rating and two shorthanded goals to help Los Angeles win the title.
In the 2014 playoffs, he led the NHL in points (26) and assists (21) as the Kings again won the Cup. His 74 points (25 goals) in 2015-16 made him the Kings' leading scorer for a ninth straight year, breaking Marcel Dionne's franchise record of eight straight (1975-76 to 1982-83).
Selected by Los Angeles in the first round (No. 11) of the 2005 NHL Draft, Kopitar made his NHL debut at age 19 on Oct. 6, 2006 and scored two goals against the Anaheim Ducks. He got three assists against the St. Louis Blues in his second game and finished October with three goals and 13 points in 14 games. Kopitar played in the 2007 YoungStars Game and finished the season with 61 points (20 goals) and 41 assists, ranking third among rookies in each category. He was fourth in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie.
Kopitar earned his first NHL All-Star Game selection in 2008 and led the Kings in scoring in 2007-08 with 77 points (32 goals). L.A. named Kopitar an alternate captain Oct. 8, 2008, and in 2009-10 his 34 goals and 81 points helped the Kings make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
In the 2010 playoffs, Kopitar scored an overtime goal in Game 2 of the first round against the Vancouver Canucks. He did it again in Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final against the New Jersey Devils.
A tireless worker who has become an elite faceoff man, Kopitar won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and skillful play in 2016. He was named Kings captain June 16, 2016.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2008, 2011, 2015, 2018)
- Signed as a free agent by Mora (Sweden-2), September 19, 2012.
