Slovenian ice hockey player Anže Kopitar has officially retired after the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the 2026 NHL playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings lost 5–1 in the final game of their first-round series on April 26. “It’s a bittersweet moment,” the 38-year-old said. “You wish it didn’t end this way, but that’s sport.”
A long-time captain and central figure in the Kings’ success, Kopitar led the team to two Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014. Widely regarded as one of the NHL’s most complete players, he earned two Frank J.
Selke Trophy awards and three Lady Byng Trophy honors. He spent his entire career with the club after being drafted in 2005, becoming the first Slovenian in the league and setting franchise records with 1,316 points.
Born in Jesenice, Kopitar also starred for Slovenia internationally, including at the 2014 Winter Olympics. He said he hopes to be remembered as a good teammate and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, closing a career marked by consistency, leadership and respect across the sport.
