Anze Kopitar, the face of the Los Angeles Kings for nearly two decades, has decided this will be his last ride. The 38-year-old captain confirmed on Thursday that the 2025-26 campaign will close the book on his NHL career. He made the announcement at training camp, sitting beside his wife and two kids.
Is This Truly the End of Anze Kopitar’s Legendary NHL Career?
Kopitar said he wanted to share the news now so it wouldn’t hang over the team later in the season.
“I just want to get this out of the way now to where I’m not a distraction,” Kopitar explained. “If we’re in a fight coming down the stretch, the last thing I want to do is to take any attention from the team and put it on myself. I just felt this is the best time.”
The hockey world didn’t take long to respond. The NHL’s official account rolled out his long list of accolades: two Stanley Cups, five All-Star Games, multiple Selke and Lady Byng trophies , and a place in history as the league’s first Slovenian player.
Anze Kopitar has announced that he will be retiring from the NHL after this season. 👑
✔️ The first player from Slovenia to play in the NHL
✔️ 2 Stanley Cups
✔️ 2 Frank J. Selke Trophies
✔️ 3 Lady Byng Memorial Trophies
✔️ 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award
✔️ 5 All-Star Game… pic.twitter.com/zR0zPmKWwG
— NHL (@NHL) September 18, 2025
Fans added their voices. One called his run “a legendary career,” praising how he put Slovenia on the hockey map.
What a legendary career. Kopitar really put Slovenia on the hockey map and did it with such class and skill. He’s been the heart and soul of the Kings for nearly two decades – definitely a first ballot Hall of Famer.
— Athlete Swag (@AthleteSwag) September 19, 2025
Another noted how Ottawa passed on drafting him, calling it one of the franchise’s biggest regrets.
He’ll never be forgotten in Ottawa as one of the biggest draft blunders in franchise history. My my my, how he would’ve helped the sens win multiple cups.
— 21million (@Drty_Danglez) September 19, 2025
In Los Angeles, the tone was pure appreciation. A supporter wrote, “Future Hall of Famer. Future statue next to Brownie.”
Future HOF.
Future Statue next to Brownie.
One of the greatest 2-way FWDs to play the game.
The best King to ever put the sweater on.Can’t thank that man enough to giving Los Angeles many years of maximum effort and quality memories.
— Totally Not Alex Laferriere (@KawasakiRoo) September 18, 2025
Others pointed to his reliability, with one tweet reminding everyone that he has led the Kings in scoring 15 out of 19 years.
One stat that’s not listed but to me is most impressive. He’s been the Kings leading scorer for 15 out of 19 seasons. #GoKingsGo
— Marc Castro (@Marc_C568) September 19, 2025
Another fan just kept it simple: “Legend 💪 🇸🇮.” Short words, but a lot of pride.
When you look at the numbers, the scope of Kopitar’s career really hits. He tops the Kings’ all-time list in games played (1,454), assists (838), and game-winners (78). He sits second in points (1,278) behind Marcel Dionne and is close enough that he could end the season at number one.
The playoffs tell a similar story. Kopitar was a driving force in both Stanley Cup wins, leading or tying for the team lead in points during those runs. On the international stage, he wore the “C” for Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, guiding them all the way to the final.
Why He’s Stepping Away
As for the decision itself, Kopitar was clear that it’s about family. After 20 years in the league, he said it was time to be home more often, especially with his children entering their teenage years. The plan is to move back to Slovenia after the season, where his extended family still lives.
That said, he emphasized that the fire is still there. “I have a lot of motivation, I have a lot of energy, a lot of desire to compete at the very highest level,” he said. “And the moves that we’ve made, I think we’re a better team than we were last year and I just cannot wait to get going.”
The team hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since 2014, and Kopitar would love nothing more than to cap his career with one more Cup run.
However it ends, Los Angeles fans will get one more season to enjoy their captain, and the NHL will say goodbye to one of its most respected two-way forwards.
