A Final Bow on Slovak Ice
When Anze Kopitar stepped onto the ice at Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium in Trencin, Slovakia, last week, it was a return to familiar territory. The newly retired forward participated in "Zee's Final Shift," a tribute game honoring Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Zdeno Chara. Despite the nostalgic setting, Kopitar made it clear that his playing days are behind him.
"If I look fresh, trust me, I did not feel fresh. It's definitely the end," Kopitar told com, reaffirming his decision to walk away after 20 NHL seasons.
The tribute game brought together a host of former NHL stars, including Ray Bourque, Mark Recchi, Patrice Bergeron, and Marian Hossa. Notably, David Pastrnak was the only active NHL player at the event, while soccer legend Petr Cech was among the goalies. Chara, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2025, was drafted by the New York Islanders as the No. 56 overall pick in 1996 and went on to set an NHL record for games played by a defenseman with 1,680. He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and the Norris Trophy in 2009, serving as the Bruins captain for 14 years.
A Career Defined by Consistency and Excellence
Kopitar, 39, announced last fall that he would play one final season. He posted 12 goals and 37 points in 67 games to help the Los Angeles Kings reach the playoffs, where they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. His last NHL game came on April 26 against the Avalanche, a 5-1 loss.
Kopitar leaves the game as the Kings' all-time leader in games played (1,521), goals (452), assists (864), and points (1,316). He also captained the team for 10 seasons and led them to 12 playoff appearances, including Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014, the first in franchise history. Drafted with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, he won the Selke Trophy in 2016 and 2018 and the Lady Byng Trophy three times (2016, 2023, 2025). Nationally, he ranks 23rd in NHL history in games played and 38th in scoring.
Kopitar's international resume includes captaining Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He was one of just two Slovenians to ever play in the NHL, with Jan Mursak being the other. Mursak played 46 games in three seasons for the Detroit Red Wings from 2010 to 2013, scoring four points.
Honoring a Legacy in Los Angeles
The Kings announced plans earlier this month to retire Kopitar's No. 11 and unveil a bronze statue of him prior to their Feb. 24, 2027 game against the Montreal Canadiens at com Arena. The statue will be the fourth in the Kings' history, joining those of Gretzky, Robitaille, and Brown, along with broadcaster Bob Miller.
Kopitar surpassed Marcel Dionne (1,307 points) for the Kings' all-time scoring record on March 14. In total, he recorded 89 points (27 goals, 62 assists) in 107 playoff games.
Life After Hockey
Reflecting on his new life away from the rink, Kopitar expressed contentment. "I am very happy," he said. "It's great. Obviously, I get to spend a lot more time with my family. I get to go (watch my) kids ... my son's hockey tournament, my daughter's figure skating competition. So, there is still life in ice arenas, but I'm enjoying it very much."
Chara's legacy was also in the spotlight during the tribute game. During his captaincy from 2006-07 through 2019-20, Boston accumulated 615 wins and 1,364 points, fourth-best in the NHL. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final three times during that span (2011, 2013, 2019), and Chara became the first captain born and raised behind the Iron Curtain to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2011. He also played for the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals.
The tribute game served as a celebration of two storied careers, even as both players have moved on to new chapters.