EL SEGUNDO, CALIF – It’s the end of an era for Los Angeles sports.
Los Angeles Kings center and longtime captain Anže Kopitar announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 NHL season after 20 years in the league.
Kopitar announced his impending retirement to the media with his wife and two children at his side, speaking on how it was time to put his family first after they supported him throughout his two decade career.
“I’ve had a bit of time over these last few months to think and talk with the family as to where the path is for me and where it’s going. After lots and lots of thinking, I’ve decided that this year is going to be last year playing in the NHL,” Kopitar said. “With a heavy heart obviously, I’ve accepted that decision. But, these guys who are sitting here with me have been with me for the last 20+ years and now they deserve a husband and a dad to be home and present for the moments that are going to be leading up, especially for these guys [his children].”
Kopitar signed with the Kings in 2005 and debuted in 2006. Since then, he has become the face of the Kings, spending all 20 seasons of his career with Los Angeles, making five career All-Star appearances and leading the Kings to two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, the first championships in franchise history.
He is on the Mount Rushmore of Kings hockey without question. The Slovenian center leads the franchise in games played with 1,454 and assists with 838. He is also third in franchise history with goals and second in points, and after a good enough season, he could stand alone in that final category.
Kopitar decided to announce his impending retirement before the season, not as a way to kickstart a retirement tour, but to make sure the weight of his decision didn’t become a distraction as the season went on.
“I want to get this out of the way now,” he said. “For example, if we’re in a fight down the stretch the last thing I want to do is bring any attention away from the team and put it on myself. So, I just felt this was the best time.”
Kopitar wasn’t the only legend in Los Angeles sports to announce their retirement on Thursday. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw also said that the end of the 2025 MLB season would the end of his playing career after 18 seasons.
Nico Alba – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) hugged by teammate during an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Wednesday March 5, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif
“It’s kind of funny how everything works out like that. There must have been something in the universe for us to decide to do it together this day,” Kopitar said. “It was actually perfect for me; I got to fly under the radar.”
Kopitar and Kershaw occupy exclusive territory, both of them playing their extensive careers all with one team. It’s a rare feat in the business of sports, and Kopitar has etched himself into the history books of the Kings and the hearts of fans forever by doing so.
“For me, I’ve always looked at LA as my team, my home. We always felt extremely comfortable here… it didn’t really cross my mind to even think or explore to go anywhere else,” Kopitar said. “And you know, obviously the fact that we were the first team to bring the Cup to LA, it makes it special and then followed it up with another one; those are the core memories that you can’t just ignore when times were a little bit rough and we didn’t have a very competitive team. Those memories, and the guys around you that have won with you before, are the reason I didn’t think about going anywhere else.”
Jessica Cryderman – The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Kings Center, Anze Kopitar, 11, fighting through defense during an NHL hockey game against the Bruins on March 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
Kopitar has a Hall of Fame worthy career behind him and a season ahead of him where he and his team are still looking to compete for another Stanley Cup. But, regardless of how the season ends up, he has his mind made up on his decision.
“It was a hard decision as it is now, and I will put 100% of my energy into this season. It doesn’t really matter where it takes us. I know I’m going to give it all and leave the game with a positive mindset.”