Anze Kopitar: Career, Retirement, Family, and Net Worth

Few players in the NHL have defined a franchise the way Anže Kopitar did with the Los Angeles Kings. For 20 seasons, the Slovenian center was the steady presence who led the team to two Stanley Cups and became its all-time leading scorer.

NHL seasons played: 20 · Stanley Cup wins: 2 · Languages spoken: 4 · Career points: 1,316 · Height: 6′ 3″ · Birthplace: Jesenice, Slovenia

Kopitar’s career numbers and personal details paint a picture of a unique athlete. Here’s a quick look at the man behind the jersey.

What happened to Anže Kopitar?

Kopitar’s retirement announcement

• Kopitar announced he would retire after the 2025-26 NHL season (ESPN)
• He was entering the final season of a two-year extension signed in July 2023 (ESPN)
• Kopitar stated, “I’m not going to change my mind,” regarding his decision (Los Angeles Times)

Final season with the Los Angeles Kings

• Played 1,521 career games, all for the Kings (NHL.com)
• Broke Marcel Dionne’s franchise scoring record on March 14, 2026 (NHL.com)
• Kings were eliminated from the 2026 playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche in a four-game series loss (NHL on YouTube)

The implication: Kopitar’s decision to retire on his own terms, with full clarity, reflects a player who valued family and control over a drawn-out goodbye. For a franchise that has seen many stars leave, his one-club loyalty is a rarity in modern sports.

Did Anže Kopitar win a Stanley Cup?

Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014

• Led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2012 (NHL.com)
• Won a second Stanley Cup in 2014, again as a key contributor (ESPN)

Kopitar’s role in the championship runs

• Served as the team’s top-line center throughout both cup runs (NHL.com)
• Known for two-way play, faceoff dominance, and clutch scoring (Sportsnet)

What this means: Kopitar’s two championships cement his place among the elite centers of his era. He wasn’t just a passenger — he was the engine that drove the Kings’ success.

Does Anže Kopitar have kids?

Kopitar’s family life

• Married to Ines Kopitar (Wikipedia)
• Has children, as shown in social media posts (Los Angeles Times)
• Los Angeles Times reported that Kopitar planned to retire to spend more time with his family (Los Angeles Times)

Number and names of children

• Exact number and names not publicly confirmed, but Kopitar has shared photos of his children on Instagram (Los Angeles Times)

The catch: While his family is clearly central to his retirement narrative, the lack of public detail leaves fans curious — but also respects his privacy.

How many languages does Anže Kopitar speak?

Languages spoken by Kopitar

• Speaks Slovenian (native), English, German, and at least one other language (Wikipedia)
• Multilingualism has been noted as an asset in international play and interviews (Sportsnet)

Multilingual background

• Grew up in Jesenice, Slovenia, where multiple languages are common (Wikipedia)
• His ability to communicate in four languages helped him integrate into the NHL and connect with international teammates (NHL.com)

Why this matters: In a league increasingly diverse, Kopitar’s linguistic skills made him a natural bridge between cultures — and a respected captain for a multicultural locker room.

What is Anže Kopitar’s net worth and salary?

Estimated net worth

• Estimated net worth is around $50 million (ESPN)
• Wealth accumulated from NHL contracts, endorsements, and investments (Sportsnet)

Contract salary details

• Salary reported at $10 million annually during his final contract (ESPN)
• Signed a two-year extension in July 2023 worth $20 million total (ESPN)

The pattern: Kopitar never chased the biggest paycheck; he took extensions that kept the Kings competitive. His net worth is solid but not flashy — true to his personality.

Timeline of a legendary career

Here’s a look at the key milestones in Kopitar’s two-decade journey from Slovenia to the NHL.

The takeaway: Kopitar’s career arc is a masterclass in longevity and consistency. From a Slovenian teenager to the face of a California franchise, his timeline is one for the Hall of Fame.

In his own words

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

– Anže Kopitar, via Los Angeles Times

Kopitar retires as the pride of Slovenia.

– Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster)

The NHL described Kopitar’s career ending as “bittersweet” after the Kings’ playoff exit.

– NHL.com (official league site)

For Los Angeles Kings fans, the loss of Kopitar leaves a void that will be felt for years. His retirement marks the end of an era defined by quiet excellence and two shining Stanley Cup banners. The choice for the franchise is clear: honor his legacy with a number retirement, or find the next anchor who can fill his skates — a challenge that may take another generation to meet.

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