Kopitar Hits 1,500 Games Played
LA Kings' Anze Kopitar reached 1,500 games played, becoming the 25th player in NHL history to hit the milestone. The achievement drew 2K likes on the NHL's official celebration post.
Anze Kopitar has spent his entire 20-season NHL career with the LA Kings, who selected him 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was the first Slovenian to ever play in the NHL. Named team captain in 2016, Kopitar has led the Kings to two Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014. In both of those playoff runs, he led all players in points. Throughout his career, Kopitar has been recognized for his exceptional two-way play, earning the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in both 2016 and 2018. He has also been awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times, in 2016, 2023, and 2025. Kopitar holds several franchise records for the Kings, including the most games played. He is also first in assists and second in total points in the team's history. In 2021, he scored his 1,000th career point. In July 2023, he signed a two-year, $14 million contract extension to remain with the Kings. Kopitar has announced that the 2025-26 season will be his last before retiring.
