Slovenian forward Anže Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings announced he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 NHL season.
According to the league’s press office, the 38-year-old made the announcement during the Kings’ preseason camp.
Kopitar is playing his milestone 20th NHL season, all with the Kings, who selected him 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft. The veteran centerman is in the final year of a two-year, $14 million contract ($7 million per season).
A two-time Stanley Cup champion (2012, 2014), Kopitar is the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. After retiring from professional hockey he plans to return to Slovenia with his family.
