Ex-Kings star Anze Kopitar opens up about how retirement has treated him

For the first time since 2006, the Los Angeles Kings will play a season without Anze Kopitar on the roster. The now-former Kings captain has retired from the game of hockey. He left an incredible impact on this franchise and is now riding off into the sunset.

Kopitar is likely to be a Hockey Hall of Famer once he’s eligible. The Kings legend won two Stanley Cups with Los Angeles, being the only captain in franchise history to win the Cup. Additionally, he scored more than 1300 points in his career.

The 39-year-old has accomplished a lot in his career. Now that it’s over, he is content with what he did on the ice, and he’s enjoying his time off.

“I am very happy,” Kopitar said about his retirement, via NHL.com. “It’s great. Obviously, I get to spend a lot more time with my family. I get to go (watch my) kids … my son’s hockey tournament, my daughter’s figure skating competition. So, there is still life in ice arenas, but I’m enjoying it very much.”

The former Los Angeles captain spent his entire career with the franchise. He debuted in 2006-07, scoring 61 points in his rookie campaign. He’d go on to score at least 60 points in all but four seasons of his career. As mentioned, he won the Stanley Cup with Los Angeles twice, lifting it in 2012 and 2014.

Los Angeles has not named a new captain. However, they are only just beginning to honor their former leader. The Kings are going to retire his number 11 on February 24, 2027.

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