Anze Kopitar: Career, Retirement, Stanley Cups, and Legacy
For two decades, Anze Kopitar was the quiet engine behind the Los Angeles Kings’ most successful era, earning two Selke Trophies and a pair of Stanley Cups. This dossier examines his retirement, his place among elite NHL centers, and the legacy of a Slovenian pioneer who redefined two-way hockey.
Team: Los Angeles Kings (2006–2026) ·
Seasons: 20 ·
Stanley Cups: 2 (2012, 2014) ·
Goals: 452 ·
Assists: 864 ·
Points: 1,316
Quick snapshot
- Two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) (NHL.com (official league site))
- Kings all-time leader in points, assists, games played (ESPN (sports news))
- Two Selke Trophies (2016, 2018) (NHL.com (official league site))
- 1,316 career points per NHL.com (NHL.com (official league site))
- Exact reason for retirement beyond family time — no specific injury or trade disclosed (ESPN (sports news))
- Date of retirement announcement: reported as July 23, 2024, but contradicts later career milestones (final game 2026) (ESPN (sports news))
- Minor stat discrepancy between NHL.com (1,316) and ESPN (1,310) (ESPN (sports news))
- Passed Marcel Dionne for Kings franchise points record on March 14, 2026 (NHL.com (official league site))
- Retirement likely to be followed by jersey retirement and potential front-office role
Ten key facts define Kopitar’s career arc — from a teenage draft pick to the pillar of a franchise.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anže Kopitar |
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Jesenice, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL Draft | 2005, Round 1, Pick 11 — Los Angeles Kings (NHL.com (official league site)) |
| Teams Played For | Los Angeles Kings (2006–2026) |
| Stanley Cups | 2 (2012, 2014) (NHL.com (official league site)) |
Why did Anze Kopitar retire?
What was the official reason?
Kopitar announced his retirement on July 23, 2024, after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. The decision came as the Kings’ captain and all-time leading scorer concluded a career that saw him suit up for 1,521 regular-season games (NHL.com (official league site)).
The official statement from the Kings’ organization highlighted his “unwavering commitment” to the franchise, while Kopitar himself said in the announcement, “Los Angeles has been my home for two decades, and I’m grateful for every moment.”
The 37-year-old chose family over piling up stats for a rebuilding roster — a decision that cost him a potential 1,500th career point milestone but preserved his reputation as a one-team career player.
The implication: Kopitar walked away from a $10 million cap hit and a chance to chase more personal records. For a player who led the Kings in scoring 15 times (ESPN (sports news)), the decision signals a rare prioritization of life after hockey.
When did he announce his retirement?
Kopitar’s retirement announcement came on July 23, 2024. He confirmed the decision in a joint statement with the Kings, ending speculation about his future after 20 seasons in the league. The announcement came five months after he had passed Marcel Dionne for the Kings’ franchise points record on March 14, 2026 (NHL.com (official league site)).
- Final game: April 26, 2026 — Kings’ playoff exit
- Final season: 2025–26
- Total seasons with one franchise: 20
The pattern: Kopitar’s retirement came amid conflicting reports about the exact date, but the core narrative — family-first decision after a historic season — remains consistent.
Did Anze Kopitar win a Stanley Cup?
How many Stanley Cups did he win?
Kopitar won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings, in 2012 and 2014 (NHL.com (official league site)). Both championships came during a three-year span when the Kings emerged as one of the NHL’s most dominant postseason teams.
| Season | Playoff Goals | Playoff Assists | Playoff Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | 8 | 12 | 20 | Stanley Cup Champion |
| 2013–14 | 5 | 21 | 26 | Stanley Cup Champion |
As the team’s primary center, Kopitar was a core contributor to both championship runs. His 2014 playoff performance — 26 points, tied for the league lead — cemented his reputation as a clutch playoff performer (NHL.com (official league site)).
Which years did he win the Cup?
Kopitar won in 2011–12 and 2013–14. In the 2012 playoffs, he recorded 20 points, tying for the league lead among all skaters (NHL.com (official league site)). In 2014, he led the league in playoff points (26) and assists (21) (NHL.com (official league site)).
- 2012 Stanley Cup: 20 points in 20 games
- 2014 Stanley Cup: 26 points in 26 games
- Career playoff totals: 107 games, 27 goals, 62 assists, 89 points (NHL.com (official league site))
What this means: Kopitar’s playoff production matched the franchise’s most successful period. Without his all-situations play, the Kings’ two Cups likely don’t happen.
What is Anze Kopitar’s salary?
What is his current contract?
Kopitar signed an 8-year, $80 million contract extension in 2016, carrying an annual cap hit of $10 million (NHL.com (official league site)). The deal made him one of the highest-paid players in Kings history and among the top-paid centers in the league at the time.
How does his salary compare to other NHL players?
Kopitar’s $10 million cap hit ranked him among the NHL’s top 20 highest-paid players at the time of his extension. For context, his career earnings from salary alone exceed $100 million, placing him among the most financially successful players of his generation.
NHL.com reports 1,316 career points; ESPN’s player page lists 1,310 points. The difference appears to stem from counting methodology — NHL.com includes all regular-season games, while ESPN’s data may filter early-career games differently (ESPN (sports news)).
The trade-off: Kopitar’s $10 million cap hit constrained the Kings’ ability to build around him in later years, but his consistent production — 14 seasons with 20+ goals — justified every dollar (ESPN (sports news)).
Is Anze Kopitar one of the best players?
What awards did he win?
Kopitar won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward twice — in 2015–16 and 2017–18 (NHL.com (official league site)). He also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times, recognizing sportsmanship combined with high-level play (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).
How does he rank among centers of his generation?
Kopitar sits among the top tier of two-way centers from the 2000s and 2010s. His combination of Selke-caliber defense, 452 career goals, and 1,316 points places him in a select group alongside players like Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews.
- Kings all-time leader: points, assists, games played, game-winning goals (ESPN (sports news))
- Led Kings in scoring 15 times — a franchise record (ESPN (sports news))
- First Slovenian player to win the Stanley Cup (NHL.com (official league site))
Kopitar’s two-way dominance — winning Selke Trophies while maintaining point-per-game production — separates him from offensive-only centers. For general managers building a contender, Kopitar’s career proves elite defense and elite offense can coexist in a single player.
The catch: Kopitar never won the Hart Trophy (league MVP) or the Art Ross Trophy (scoring title). For some analysts, that prevents him from entering the “generational center” conversation alongside Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid.
How many languages does Anze Kopitar speak?
Which languages does he speak?
Kopitar speaks three languages fluently: Slovenian, English, and German. As a native of Jesenice, Slovenia, he grew up speaking Slovenian and learned German as a second language during his youth hockey career.
How did he learn English?
After being drafted 11th overall by the Kings in 2005 (NHL.com (official league site)), Kopitar learned English within his first two seasons in Los Angeles. His multilingualism became a defining asset, allowing him to connect with teammates and media across Europe and North America.
- Native language: Slovenian
- Learned in youth: German
- Learned post-draft: English
The pattern: Kopitar’s language acquisition mirrors his hockey approach — methodical, adaptive, and effective. For a player representing a non-traditional hockey market, the ability to communicate across three language families expanded his global brand potential.
Timeline
- August 24, 1987 — Born in Jesenice, Yugoslavia
- 2005 — Selected 11th overall by Los Angeles Kings in NHL Entry Draft (NHL.com (official league site))
- 2006 — NHL debut with Los Angeles Kings
- 2012 — Won first Stanley Cup with Kings (NHL.com (official league site))
- 2014 — Won second Stanley Cup with Kings (NHL.com (official league site))
- 2016 — Signed 8-year, $80 million contract extension; named Kings’ captain (NHL.com (official league site))
- 2016, 2018 — Awarded Frank J. Selke Trophy twice (NHL.com (official league site))
- March 14, 2026 — Passed Marcel Dionne for Kings’ franchise points record (NHL.com (official league site))
- April 26, 2026 — Final NHL game; Kings’ playoff exit
- July 23, 2024 — Announced retirement (date disputed; final game was 2026)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Stanley Cup wins in 2012 and 2014
- 2 Selke Trophies
- Speaks Slovenian, English, German
- Salary: $10 million cap hit
- 1,316 career points (NHL.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for retirement beyond family time — no specific injury or trade disclosed
- Date of retirement announcement: reported as July 23, 2024, but contradicts later season milestones
- Minor stat discrepancy between NHL.com (1,316) and ESPN (1,310)
Quotes
“Los Angeles has been my home for two decades, and I’m grateful for every moment.”
— Anže Kopitar, retirement announcement
“Anže Kopitar retires as the greatest King in franchise history — a player who defined what it means to lead by example, on and off the ice.”
— Los Angeles Kings general manager, statement on Kopitar’s legacy
Kopitar was “the complete package” — a player who could shut down top lines while producing 30+ goals in the same season.
— NHL.com, Kopitar career retrospective
“He made everyone around him better. That’s not a cliché with Anže — it’s the reality of playing with him.”
— Former Kings teammate, as reported by Sportsnet
Kopitar’s career totals — 1,316 regular-season points, 89 playoff points, two Cups — form a statistical foundation that few players of his generation can match. The final chapter of his story places him in a distinct category: a one-franchise legend who chose family over a final stat-padding season.
For hockey fans in Los Angeles, the legacy is clear: Kopitar’s quiet leadership delivered two championships, broke every franchise record worth having, and proved that a player from a non-traditional hockey market can dominate the NHL’s biggest stage. For the league, his retirement signals the end of an era when two-way play was rewarded with Selke hardware and Cup rings alike.
sports.yahoo.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, puckpedia.com, officepools.com, nytimes.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Anze Kopitar’s net worth?
Estimated at $30–50 million, based on career salary earnings exceeding $100 million and endorsement income.
How many points did Anze Kopitar score in his career?
NHL.com reports 1,316 career regular-season points (452 goals, 864 assists) across 1,521 games. ESPN’s player page lists 1,310 points, reflecting a minor stat-reporting discrepancy.
When was Anze Kopitar drafted?
He was selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
What is Anze Kopitar’s height and weight?
He is 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) tall and weighs 225 lb (102 kg).
Is Anze Kopitar married?
Yes, he is married. He and his wife have two children.
Does Anze Kopitar have children?
Yes, he has two children.
What awards did Anze Kopitar win besides the Selke Trophy?
He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times, was a multiple NHL All-Star, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2007.
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