Anže Kopitar

Anže Kopitar (pronounced [anˈʒɛ kɔˈpiːtaɾ], born 24 August 1987) is a Slovenian professional ice hockey centre and 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 Slovene to play in the NHL upon making his debut in 2006. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, has led the team in scoring in all but two seasons and is fourth in franchise history in points, goals, and assists, scoring his 1,000th career point in 2021. 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 the Selke Trophy a second time in 2018 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 2023.

Anže Kopitar
Kopitar with the Los Angeles Kings in November 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
National team  Slovenia
NHL Draft 11th overall, 2005
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2002–present

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, while his defensive style developed in later seasons and he has become recognized for his two-way play, being a finalist for the Selke Trophy three times and winning twice. In 2018, he was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Praised as one of the best players in the NHL, Kopitar won the Stanley Cup 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.

Playing career

European career (2002–2006)

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.[1] 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).[2]

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.[3] 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. At 17, prior to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar was ranked the top European skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[4] 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.[5] Prior to the NHL Draft, Kopitar was also selected in the CHL Import Draft by the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[6] At 18 years of age, 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.[7]

Los Angeles Kings (2006–present)

Kopitar signed an entry-level contract with the Kings on 7 September 2005, but returned to play in Sweden for another season.[8] The next year, 2006, he accepted an invitation to Los Angeles' rookie camp.

Early career and establishment (2006–2010)

He made his NHL debut on 6 October 2006, against the Anaheim Ducks and scored two goals in the game.[7] 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.[9] 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.[10] It marked the fifth-highest point total by a Kings rookie, and the highest since Luc Robitaille in 1986–87.[9] He finished fourth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.[11] 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.[12]

Kopitar practicing with the Kings in April 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).[9] 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.[13] Kopitar won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the most valuable player on the Kings.[12]

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.[14] 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.[15] The following season, Kopitar scored his first career NHL hat-trick (three goals in one game) on 22 October 2009 against the Dallas Stars.[16] He finished the 2009–10 season with a career-high 34 goals and 81 points.[17] 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.[18] Kopitar made his Stanley Cup playoff debut that season, as the Kings qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2002.[19] 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.[15]

Stanley Cup wins (2010–2015)
Kopitar in December 2012. He played with Allsvenskan'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.[20] However eleven days later, Kopitar's season and ironman streak came to an abrupt end at 330 games after he suffered a broken ankle.[21] 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.[22]

In the 2011–12 season, Kopitar led the Kings in scoring with 76 points, including a career-best 51 assists.[23] 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.[24] Kopitar became the first Slovenian-born player to win the Stanley Cup.[25] In recognition of this, Kopitar was named as the 2012 Slovenian male Athlete of the Year.[26]

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.[27] 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.[28]

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.[28] 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.[29]

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.[30] Kopitar was a finalist for the Selke Trophy again, and also for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded for sportsmanship.[31]

Later career (2015–present)
Kopitar during the 2016 playoffs. He would receive the Selke and Lady Byng Trophies at season's end.

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.[32] He finished the season with 74 points, setting a team record by leading the Kings in scoring for a ninth consecutive season.[33] Kopitar also was awarded both the Lady Byng and Frank J. Selke Trophies, the first player from the Kings to win either award.[34] He also won the Bill Libby Memorial Award as the most valuable player on the Kings for the fifth time.[35]

On 16 June 2016, Kopitar was named the captain of the Kings, replacing Dustin Brown.[36] In his first season as captain of the Kings, Kopitar saw his production drop, and he finished with 52 points, second on the team behind Jeff Carter, and ending his nine-year streak of leading the team in scoring.[37]

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. He scored his fourth career hat-trick with four goals on 22 March 2018, against the Colorado Avalanche.[38] 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.[39]

Kopitar warming up in February 2019.

Towards the end of the following season, on 1 April 2019, in a game against the Calgary Flames, Kopitar played his 1,000th NHL game.[40]

On 5 May 2021, towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Kopitar recorded his 1,000th career point, becoming the 91st player to reach the mark.[41]

On 14 October 2021, Kopitar scored three goals and two assists against the Vegas Golden Knights, setting a franchise record for most points in a home opening game since Jari Kurri did it back in 1991–92.[42] However, Kopitar missed the 20-goal mark for the first time since the 2016–17 season (excluding the shortened 2020–21 season). He recorded his 700th career assist in the Kings' final home game of the season on 23 April 2022, a 4–2 win against the Anaheim Ducks.[43] He was awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award at season's end, becoming the second Kings player to win it after teammate Dustin Brown.[44]

Kopitar recorded his sixth career hat-trick on 28 February 2023, scoring four goals in a 6–5 shootout victory against the Winnipeg Jets.[45] At season's end, he would win his second Lady Byng Trophy, becoming the first King since Wayne Gretzky to win the award multiple times.[46] The Kings re-signed Kopitar to a two-year contract extension on 6 July 2023.[47]

International play

Kopitar with Slovenian national team at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.
Medal record
Representing  Slovenia
Ice hockey
Representing Team Europe
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 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.[48] 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;[49][50] at the World Juniors he had one goal and one assist in five games.[51]

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.[2] 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.[52] Slovenia was relegated to Division I for 2007, where Kopitar had 13 assists and 14 points, leading the tournament in both categories.[53] 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.[54]

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.[55] Though Gašper was part of the team that secured qualification for Slovenia, he was not named to the Olympic roster.[56] Kopitar helped Slovenia reach the quarterfinals of the tournament by scoring two goals and one assist.[57][58]

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).[59] 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.[60]

Playing style
Kopitar (back) prepares to take a face-off in the NHL in November 2018. Kopitar holds one of the highest career averages for face-off wins in the NHL.

Kopitar is known in the NHL as one of the most effective two-way forwards, excelling in both offence and defence, for which he has won the [61] Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2016 and 2018, after being a finalist for the award in both 2014 and 2015.[62] Kopitar has one of the highest career averages for winning faceoffs, and [63]has led the Kings in team scoring 14 times in his career.[64][37]

Personal life

Kopitar was born in Jesenice, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) to Matjaž and Mateja Kopitar.[65] Matjaž played hockey for HK Acroni Jesenice, winning the league title three times, and was a member of the Yugoslav and Slovenian national teams.[61][66] He also coached HK Acroni Jesenice of the Austrian Hockey League during the 2006–07 season[67] and the Slovenian national team from 2010 until 2015.[66][68] Mateja worked at the family restaurant in Hrušica, a village about five kilometres from Jesenice.[5]

Kopitar with Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti during the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship parade.

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.[61] 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.[69][25] Kopitar's grandmother taught English at a local high school, and both Kopitar and his brother learned to speak English from her.[70] Kopitar speaks five languages: Slovene, Serbian, German, Swedish, and English.[71] He enjoys playing soccer and is a declared supporter of Slovenian soccer club NK Maribor.[72][73]

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."[74] As a youth, he played in the 2000 and 2001 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a team from Slovenia.[75] He also hosts an annual charity golf tournament that benefits various groups, mainly youths.[76]

Kopitar lived with his parents until moving to Sweden, where he lived alone in an apartment.[3] 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.[77] Kopitar met Ines Dominc in Slovenia in 2005; they married in July 2013.[78] Their first child, a daughter named Neža, was born on 14 March 2015.[79] Their second child, son Jakob, was born 5 October 2016.[80]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2002–03 HD Hidria Jesenice SVN U18 1438387610 —————
2002–03 HD Hidria Jesenice SVN U20 161210224 43254
2002–03 HK Kranjska Gora SVN 114484 —————
2003–04 HD Hidria Jesenice SVN U20 2030245416 52460
2003–04 HK Kranjska Gora SVN 2114112510 41120
2004–05 Södertälje SK SWE U18 11230 10002
2004–05 Södertälje SK J20 3028214926 21120
2004–05 Södertälje SK SEL 50000 100000
2005–06 Södertälje SK SEL 478122028 —————
2006–07 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7220416124 —————
2007–08 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8232457722 —————
2008–09 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8227396632 —————
2009–10 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8234478116 62352
2010–11 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7525487320 —————
2011–12 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8225517620 20812209
2012–13 Mora IK Allsv 3110243414 —————
2012–13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 4710324216 1836912
2013–14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8229417024 265212614
2014–15 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7916486410 —————
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8125497416 52242
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7612405228 —————
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8235579220 41120
2018–19 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8122386030 —————
2019–20 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7021416216 —————
2020–21 Los Angeles Kings NHL 5613375010 —————
2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 8119486714 71342
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 822846744 62570
NHL totals 1,2923937481,141322 9224537741

International
Year Team Comp   GPGAPtsPIM
2003 Slovenia WJC18 (Div I) 52130
2004 Slovenia WJC (Div I) 51120
2004 Slovenia WJC18 (Div I) 56280
2005 Slovenia WJC (Div I) 5103136
2005 Slovenia WJC18 (Div I) 5651114
2005 Slovenia OGQ 31122
2005 Slovenia WC 61012
2006 Slovenia WJC (Div I) 55164
2006 Slovenia WC 63692
2007 Slovenia WC (Div I) 5113142
2008 Slovenia WC 53142
2014 Slovenia OG 52134
2015 Slovenia WC 71340
2016 Team Europe WCup 60442
2019 Slovenia WC (Div IA) 52572
Junior totals 3030134324
Senior totals 4814344818

YoungStar Games
Year Location   GAPts
2007 Dallas 235
Totals 235

All-Star Games
Year Location   GAPts
2008 Atlanta 000
2011 Carolina 202
2015 Columbus 000
2018 Tampa Bay 022
2020 St. Louis 044
Totals 268
  • All statistics are taken from NHL.com.[58]

Awards and honours
Kopitar celebrates with the Stanley Cup, after the Kings won the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.
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, 2023
Mark Messier Leadership Award 2022
Los Angeles Kings
Most Popular Player 2007, 2011, 2021
Mark Bavis Memorial Award 2007
Ace Bailey Memorial Award 2020, 2021
Bill Libby Memorial Award 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2023
Leading Scorer Award 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Best Defensive Player 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2023
Slovenian Ice Hockey League
Points leader 2004

References
  1. Williams, Randy O. (18 July 2012). "KopiStar – Slovenian Superstar in NHL". SloveniaTimes.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  2. Podnieks, Andrew (17 November 2009). "NHL top scorer not in Vancouver". IIHF.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  3. Kopitar, Anže (28 December 2010). "My Story: Anze Kopitar". LAKings.com. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  4. NHL (22 July 2005). "2005 Entry Draft Rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  5. Morreale, Mike G. (26 October 2009). "Kopitar's NHL stardom years in the making". NHL.com. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  6. "2005 CHL Import Draft Summary". WHL.ca. 30 June 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  7. Arritt, Dan (11 October 2009). "Kings' Anze Kopitar Grew Up Fast". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 12 December 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  8. Los Angeles Kings (7 September 2005). "Kings Agree to Terms with Anze Kopitar". LosAngelesKings.com. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  9. LaRocca, Thomas (26 January 2008). "From Afar to YoungStars to All-Star". LAKings.com. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  10. Podnieks, Andrew (17 November 2009). "NHL top scorer not in Vancouver". IIHF.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  11. Morreale, Mike G. (26 September 2008). "Kopitar ready to lead Kings to playoffs". NHL.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  12. Los Angeles Kings (2010). "Kings Annual Team Awards". LAKings.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  13. Los Angeles Kings (11 January 2011). "Anze Kopitar Named to NHL All-Star Team". LAKings.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  14. TSN (11 October 2008). "Kings sign Kopitar to seven-year extension". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  15. 2015–16 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide, p. 48
  16. Canadian Press (23 October 2008). "Handzus scores in overtime, Kopitar has hat trick as Kings edge Stars". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  17. NHL.com (12 April 2010). "Canucks-Kings Storylines". NHL.com. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  18. Los Angeles Kings (10 April 2010). "Kings 2010 Award Winners". LAKings.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  19. Roarke, Shawn P. (11 April 2010). "Why Kings will win: All new to us". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  20. Hammond, Rich (14 March 2011). "Iron Man Anze". LAKings.com. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  21. Hammond, Rich (26 March 2011). "Kings lose Kopitar to ankle injury". LAKings.com. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  22. 2015–16 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide, p. 70
  23. "Kings' Anze Kopitar tests knee, still unlikely for opener". CBC.ca. Associated Press. 14 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  24. "Anze Kopitar replaces Dustin Brown as Kings' captain". USAToday.com. Associated Press. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  25. Merk, Martin (6 July 2012). "King of Slovenia". IIHF.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  26. Sta, T.M. (23 December 2012). "NHL Star Kopitar, Judoka Žolnir Athletes of The Year". Slovenia Times. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  27. Elliott, Helene (18 September 2012). "Kings' Anze Kopitar eager to play for Swedish hockey team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  28. 2015–16 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide, p. 69–70
  29. Masisak, Cory (14 June 2014). "Kings center Kopitar proves to be elite player". NHL.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  30. 2015–16 Los Angeles Kings Media Guide, p. 69
  31. NHL (22 April 2015). "Bergeron, Kopitar, Toews voted Selke Trophy finalists". NHL.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  32. Zupke, Curtis (16 January 2016). "Kopitar, Kings agree to eight-year contract extensionfirst=Curtis". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  33. LAKings.com (30 April 2016). "Anze Kopitar Nominated For Lady Byng Award". LAKings.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  34. Rosen, Dan (22 June 2016). "Blackhawks, Kings, Capitals have big night at Awards". NHL.com. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  35. Kinkopf, Alex (11 April 2016). "2015–'16 Kings Award Winners". NHL.com. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  36. Staff Writer (16 June 2016). "Anze Kopitar Named Kings' New Team Captain". NHL.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  37. Teaford, Elliott (10 April 2017). "How the LA Kings performed and why their season is over". Dailynews.com. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  38. "Kopitar scores 4 times, Kings cruise to 7-1 win over Avs". ESPN. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  39. "Anze Kopitar wins Frank J. Selke Trophy as top defensive forward". Sportsnet.ca. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  40. "Anze Kopitar Reaches 1,000 NHL Games Milestone". www.nhl.com. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  41. "Coyotes eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Kings". nhl.com. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  42. "Kopitar leads 3 Stars of the week". nhl.com. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  43. "Anze Kopitar earns 700th Career Assist". cbssports.com. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  44. "Kopitar of Kings wins Messier NHL Leadership Award". www.nhl.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  45. "Kopitar scores 4 goals, Kings defeat Jets in shootout". www.nhl.com. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  46. Satriano, David (26 June 2023). "Kopitar of Kings wins Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly conduct". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  47. "LA Kings Sign Captain Anze Kopitar To Two-Year Contract Extension". www.nhl.com. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  48. IIHF (29 March 2003). "Slovenia Player Statistics". IIHF.com. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  49. IIHF (15 September 2006). "Goal Scoring Leaders" (PDF). IIHF.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  50. IIHF (15 September 2006). "Scoring Leaders" (PDF). IIHF.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  51. IIHF (13 September 2006). "Player Statistics by Team" (PDF). IIHF.com. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  52. IIHF (21 May 2006). "2006 Scoring leaders" (PDF). IIHF.com. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  53. IIHF (21 April 2007). "2007 Scoring leaders" (PDF). IIHF.com. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  54. Morreale, Mike G. (19 November 2008). "Kopitar, Stastny a battle of two great centers". NHL.com. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  55. Szemberg, Szymon (8 February 2013). "Shocker! Slovenia to Sochi". IIHF.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  56. Potts, Andy (12 February 2014). "Family Values". IIHF.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  57. Rosen, Dan (19 February 2014). "Kopitar proud of Slovenia's run at Olympics". NHL.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  58. NHL.com (2016). "Anze Kopitar Page". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  59. Satriano, David (27 May 2016). "Team Europe releases World Cup roster". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  60. Johnson, Chris (24 January 2015). "Kopitar dreaming big for upcoming World Cup". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  61. Robson, Dan (2015). "Finally on the Map". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  62. Masisak, Corey (14 June 2014). "Kings center Kopitar proves to be elite player". NHL.com. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  63. Satriano, David (12 March 2016). "Defense never rests with Kings' Kopitar". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  64. Zupke, Curtis (16 June 2016). "Kings name Kopitar captain". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  65. Nusbaum, Eric (6 October 2014). "A Humble King". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  66. Crouse, Karen (8 February 2014). "Devoted Coach and Gifted Son Lead Slovenia to Hockey Heights". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  67. Cvetanovič, Drago (16 April 2010). "Jeseniški trenerji skozi čas" (in Slovenian). HKJesenice.si. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  68. Merk, Martin (12 May 2015). "Matjaz Kopitar resigns". IIHFWorlds2015.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  69. Rosen, Jon (8 January 2014). "Loosened Reign". Kings.nhl.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  70. Meltzer, Bill (13 June 2012). "Cup caps Kopitar's journey from Slovenia". NHL.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  71. Dater, Adrian (6 January 2011). "The man who could be King of LA". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  72. "MMC Pogovor: Anže Kopitar" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  73. Marin Veršić (13 September 2012). "Oni pobjeđuju: Anže Kopitar" [They're winning: Anze Kopitar] (in Bosnian and Slovenian). Al Jazeera Balkans. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  74. Slovenia.si (2012). "Entire Slovenia is proud of Anže Kopitar". Slovenia.si. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  75. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  76. AK-11.com (2015). "Annual Golf Tournaments". AK-11.com. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  77. Leitereg, Neal J. (14 December 2014). "L.A. Kings' Anze Kopitar nets two homes in $10 million deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  78. Delo (5 July 2013). "Anže Kopitar se je poročil". Delo (in Slovenian). Ljubljana. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  79. Jhaveri, Hmal (15 March 2015). "Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar welcomes adorable baby girl". USAToday.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  80. Dillman, Lisa (6 October 2015). "Anze Kopitar will return to Kings lineup during a game in Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

Media related to Anže Kopitar at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.