Anže Kopitar
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Position Center
Shoots Left
Height
Weight 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
NHL Team Los Angeles Kings
Nationality Flag of Slovenia Slovenia
Born August 24, 1987,
Jesenice, YUG
NHL Draft 11th overall, 2005
Los Angeles Kings
Pro Career 2004 – present
Graffiti in Los Angeles, CA depicting Anže Kopitar
Graffiti in Los Angeles, CA depicting Anže Kopitar
Anže Kopitar (born August 24, 1987 in Jesenice, Yugoslavia, now Slovenia) is a Slovenian professional hockey player. He was the 11th overall draft pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
According to the NHL's European Scouting Service, Kopitar was the number one European draft prospect in 2005; he played in the Swedish Elitserien for Södertälje SK, until he went to North America in 2006.
Kopitar made his NHL debut on October 6, 2006, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, against the Anaheim Ducks, becoming the first Slovenian player to play in the NHL. He scored two goals as the Kings lost 4-3. In his home debut at Staples Center the following night, he had 3 assists in a 4-1 Kings victory against the St. Louis Blues.
On November 25, 2006, in a game against the Calgary Flames, Kopitar recorded his first goal at Staples Center, also recording an assist, in a 3-1 victory.
Anže is known for his great puckhandling skills and great patience with the puck, as evidenced in his first NHL goal. He has the ability to hang on to the puck for a considerable amount of time, while keeping his awareness hightened and looking for open players.
Kopitar's father Matjaž was also a hockey player and is currently coaching Slovenian champions Jesenice.
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