Slovenian hockey legend to receive highest honour from Los Angeles Kings
Slovenian ice hockey legend Anže Kopitar will be honoured by his former team, the Los Angeles Kings, for which he played his entire career in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Not even a year after he hung up his skates, his No. 11 will be retired and a bronze statue of him as one of the team's all-time greats unveiled, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
The ceremony will take place at Crypto.com Arena on 24 February next year as the Los Angeles Kings take on the Montreal Canadiens in a regular season game, according to the announcement on the Los Angeles Kings website.
Kopitar, the team's all-time leader in games played (1,521), assists (864) and points (1,316) will become the eighth player to have his number retired by the franchise, a ceremony which is considered the organisation's highest individual honour.
Before him, this honour went to Rogie Vachon (No. 30), Marcel Dionne (No. 16), Dave Taylor (No. 18), Wayne Gretzky (No. 99), Luc Robitaille (No. 20), Rob Blake (No. 4) and Dustin Brown (No. 23).
The statue of Kopitar outside the arena, which will also be unveiled on 24 February, will be the fourth for Los Angeles Kings hockey players, after Gretzky, Robitaille and Brown.
"To have my number retired and a statue unveiled by the LA Kings is an incredible honour, and one that is difficult to put into words," Kopitar said according to the post on the team's website.
"When I arrived in Los Angeles 21 years ago, I simply hoped to earn the opportunity to play in the NHL. I never imagined something like this. I have been fortunate to spend my entire career with one organisation, surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, staff and fans who have made this journey so special."
He also said he shared this honour with everyone who has been part of this journey, especially his family.
LA Kings president Luc Robitaille said that "Kopitar has defined what it means to be a Los Angeles King for the past two decades," adding that his "leadership, consistency and commitment to excellence have helped shape the identity of our franchise, both on and off the ice".
According to Robitaille, the Slovenian's legacy extends far beyond the records, awards and championships, as he has "inspired generations of Kings fans and left an indelible mark on our franchise, and the Los Angeles and Southern California community".
Kopitar, who ended his illustrious career this year at age 38, won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings - one in 2012 and another in 2014. The first Slovenian to play in North America's prestigious NHL was the Kings' captain from 2016 to his retirement.
Photo Instagram/anzekopitar
