Kings captain Anze Kopitar wins 2022 Mark Messier Leadership Award
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar was named the 2022 Mark Messier Leadership Award recipient.
First awarded in 2007, the Mark Messier Leadership Award is given "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season."
Kopitar became the second King to receive the award. Dustin Brown earned the honor in 2014.
A spokesperson and contributor for several team fundraising events, the 34-year-old has represented the Kings in the community, working with various organizations, including the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, Make a Wish Foundation, Wags and Walks and the Kings Care Foundation.
"We're all trying to grow the game. Between the LA Kings and myself I think we've done a really good job around here in SoCal, with help of the Anaheim Ducks team," Kopitar said in an interview with Messier after the announcement Wednesday. "Just getting the game spread apart here in SoCal, and I think we're doing a pretty good job."
The Kings selected Kopitar with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft. Kopitar became captain of the Kings in 2016.
Kopitar has played 16 seasons with the Kings, winning two Stanley Cups, two Selke Trophies and a Lady Byng.
Last season, Kopitar finished with 19 goals and led the Kings in assists with 48.
Kopitar ranks second all-time in Kings' history in games played (1,210) and assists (702), third in goals (365) and fourth in points (1,067).
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