Anze Kopitar Wins Lady Byng Trophy for Sportsmanship

Updated June 12,2025

los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar has been ‍awarded the Lady Byng ⁢Trophy,an honor given to the NHL player who best exemplifies sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.This marks the third time Kopitar has received the award, solidifying his⁣ reputation⁤ as a respected player in the league.

Kopitar,a ⁤two-time Stanley Cup champion,learned of his achievement while on vacation in⁢ Slovenia. His children, Neza and Jakob, shared the news with ⁣him during a round of golf with his father.

During the 2024-25 season,the 37-year-old Kopitar⁣ demonstrated remarkable discipline,accumulating only four penalty minutes across⁤ 81 regular-season games. He also contributed significantly on offense, scoring 21 goals and 46 assists for a total of 67 points. In six playoff games, he added two goals ⁤and seven assists.

Kopitar previously won the⁢ Lady Byng Trophy in 2015-16 and 2022-23.He joins a select group of 10 players who have⁤ won the award at least three times.

To me,it just ‍means being so-called a gentleman,” ‍the Kings’ captain saeid. “Hockey is a physical sport, but within those parameters, I think there’s obviously room, I guess, [to be] a gentleman, a good guy, having respect toward your peers, toward the officials. Just carry yourself in a way⁤ to were kids look at you, young kids look at you, what ⁣you do on the ⁣ice. I guess this exemplifies that its doable, and I’m honored to have ⁤won it three times now and it means a great deal to me.”

Beyond the Lady Byng, Kopitar’s career accolades include two Selke Trophies (2015-16, 2017-18) for best defensive forward and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (2021-22).

In⁤ the Lady Byng Trophy voting, Kopitar led with 856 points. Following him were Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning (793 points), Jack Eichel of the Vegas golden Knights (782), Jaccob Slavin⁤ of the ⁢Carolina Hurricanes (760), and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens.

The Los Angeles kings drafted Kopitar as the 11th overall pick in the 2005⁤ NHL draft.

What’s ‍next

With another Lady Byng Trophy⁣ under his belt,Anze Kopitar ‍looks to continue his leadership role with the Kings,aiming ⁤for further success both on and off the ice. His ⁤commitment to sportsmanship sets a high standard‍ for players throughout the NHL.