NHL fans react as LA franchise lock down Anze Kopitar to new contract - "I hate the Kings so much but can't help but respect this guy"

The LA Kings have signed their captain Anze Kopitar to a two-year, $14 million contract extension that will see him with the club until the 2025-26 season.

Drafted No. 11 by the LA Kings in the 2005 NHL Draft, Kopitar has had a career spanning 17 years in the league. He's spent his entire career donning the jersey of the Kings. In the 2022-23 season, he led the LA Kings in goal-scoring with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) in 82 games.

The news was much to the delight of the Kings' fans who took to Twitter to express their contentment by calling it a great move by the franchise:

The hockey journey of Anze Kopitar

Anze Kopitar began his professional career with the HD Hidira Jesenice at SVN U-18. He later joined the Slovenian Hockey League, the highest-tier ice hockey league in Slovenia.

However, due to a lack of competitiveness, Kopitar decided to look out for the other options eventually leaving the country for Sweden.

Kopitar first got the opportunity to play for the U-18 team of Sodertalje SK in Sweden and later joined their junior team where he further honed his skillset. He played one season for SK at the SEL, the highest-tier ice hockey league in Sweden.

Sweden played a vital role in helping Kopitar enter the National Hockey League. Prior to a year before the NHL Draft, the LA Kings captain was ranked as the top prospect from Europe by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.

In the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Anze Kopitar was drafted in the first round by the LA Kings. Kopitar made his NHL debut during the 2006-07 season, scoring two goals against the Anaheim Ducks in his debut.

Kopitar has played for 17 years in the league and has spent his entire career with one franchise. Furthermore, he is the LA Kings' third all-time leading goalscorer with 1,114 points through 393 goals and 748 assists in 1,292 games.

Notably, Kopitar helped the LA Kings win the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup championships.

About the author

Abhishek is an NHL writer at Sportskeeda with over 2 years of sports reporting experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi. He became a fan of ice hockey after watching NHL fight videos on YouTube, which led to him professionally writing about the sport and his continued interest in all things hockey.

A fan of the Boston Bruins, Abhishek considers their incredible comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs as the most iconic moment in the NHL. His admiration for the six-time Stanley Cup winners also comes from the team’s storied history, distinctive black and gold uniform and their success in the sport. His all-time favorite NHL players are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, for their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.

Abhishek ensures his reporting is fair and balanced by being well-researched in his details, which he expects to be relevant, up-to-date and in line with ethical standards. His specialties are doing detailed match analysis and covering fan reactions.

Abhishek enjoys music, traveling and going on walks with his three German Shepherds in his free time, along with learning about horticulture.

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