O’Donnell: Anze Kopitar Was 'A Very Mature Guy' for Young LA Kings

Former LA Kings defenseman Sean O’Donnell reflects on his time playing with a younger Anze Kopitar from 2008 to 2010.

When he returned to the LA Kings in September 2008 via trade, Sean O’Donnell took on a crucial leadership role for a young team destined for great things. One of the King’s budding stars was Anze Kopitar, who was entering his third NHL season. Still, the humble O’Donnell

Downplays any contribution he had in Kopitar’s game or in his growth, especially from a leadership standpoint.

“I don’t think so. I mean, I didn’t specifically do anything,” O’Donnell told me. “He was already a number-one center when I got traded to the Kings. He was a very mature guy for his age.”

Not known for his scoring prowess, O’Donnell nonetheless fit in nicely with a young LA Kings squad. In fact, in his second tour of duty with the club, O’Donnell scored just two goals but added 24 assists and a plus-16 rating. He even used his 6-foot-2, 238-pound frame to instill fear and intimidation in his opponents with 141 penalty minutes in 160 games.

If Anze Kopitar did pick anything up from the O’Donnell’s game – and he most likely did – the veteran is certainly happy, although he was just more impressed with how the future Kings captain handled himself.

“If he picked up anything in the two years that I was there, I’m flattered,” O’Donnell said. “But he was just a very quiet guy that didn’t cut corners, that basically played the right way and always did the right thing.”

O’Donnell, however, was quick to admit how fortunate he was to get to know the younger Kopitar.

“He has a very dry sense of humor,” noted the 53-year-old. “I don’t think he was loud, but he said some funny things. He’s very quiet and usually when he says something, it’s pretty funny. Just watching him evolve from being a good player, when I first met him to being a 200-foot leader [was great to see].”

He may not admit it but Sean O’Donnell’s presence on those young LA Kings teams meant the world to many. That includes those he suited up with – Anze Kopitar, too. It just goes to show how humble the 17-year NHL veteran is. But it also shows how fortunate Anze Kopitar was to call him a teammate.