NHL announces Anze Kopitar as winner of a prestigious award
Los Angeles Kings Captain Anze Kopitar has won the Mark Messier Leadership Award as the player who best exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Since the award was first handed out in 2007, this is the second time a King has brought the Trophy to Los Angeles (Dustin Brown won in 2014).
Kopitar was originally drafted in the first round (eleventh overall) in the 2005 NHL entry draft by the Kings. The native of Slovenia has spent his entire 16 year NHL career in Los Angeles. Kopitar was originally named an alternative captain in the 2008-09 season, a title he held for eight seasons. Prior to the 2016-17 season, he dawned the C and has held it ever since.
Kopitar helped the Kings win Stanley Cups in 2012 and in 2014. In 2014, he led the entire league in playoff scoring, with 26 points (5 goals & 21 assists) in 26 games. In 1210 career NHL regular season games, Kopitar has scored 1067 career points (365 goals & 702 assists).
This is the fourth award of Kopitar's NHL career. In both 2016 and 2018, Kopitar won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the leagues best defensive forward as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Kopitar also won the Lady Byng in 2016, as the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
