The "big announcement" today, amid the first day of training camp for the Los Angeles Kings, involved captain Anze Kopitar announcing his retirement from the league after the end of the 2025-26 season.
Kopitar is a Kings' legend who helped the franchise win multiple Stanley Cups in the early-to-mid 2010s decade in 2012 and 2014. He is the all-time franchise leader in games played in the postseason and the regular season, assists, and ranks second in goals and total points for the Kings.
Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson give their statement and reaction following the retirement announcement from Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar
Kopitar is among the best and most well-recognized two-way centers in the NHL at this moment today. He
Some of the top defensemen on the blue line for the Kings reacted to the news of the announcement of Kopitar retiring following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season in the Pacific Division. Veteran Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson gave their thoughts to Mayor's Manor after the announcement of Kopitar's retirement after the upcoming 2025-26 season.
"For me obviously it's sad. It will be hard for me to imagine playing a season without. He's done a lot, he's done everything you could ask of him. He's helped this organization and the players in the organization so much. "Drew Doughty on Anze Kopitar retirement
Doughty has played with Kopitar with Los Angeles for over a decade. Together, they've scored over 500 career goals and over 1,500 points for the Kings' franchise since the late 2000s decade.
"I'm happy for him too. He's one of my best friends. [Kopitar] is the No. 1 guy for me for my career and playing with someone has always helped me. "Doughty on Kopitar retirement
Anderson credits Kopitar for helping to mentor him and making the transition and adjustment easier for him going into the league getting called up by LA in the early 2020s.
"They're unbelievable people. It was within a week or two when I got called up I was over there for dinner. I got to spend a lot of time with him then. It was maybe once a month. But this time we've gotten close. It's been fun to do family barbecues. They do a good job of balancing how crazy this life is but still putting an emphasis on family, which is something I tried to pick up off him. "Mikey Anderson on Kopitar retirement
As we've commonly heard regarding Kopitar's work ethic and leadership quality traits over the past 20 years with the Kings' franchise and on the ice, he's impacted the team in games and in the postseason.
"At the rink, he's a pro, he's here early, takes care of his body, and works hard. He does so many little things that you probably don't pick up if you just watch on a random Tuesday. But when you get to see him up close, it's pretty incredible, the little things he does, and it makes you appreciate how good he is. "Anderson on Kopitar retirement