Anze Kopitar and his family are getting used to life in Slovenia after more than 20 years in Southern California. The former Kings captain had long hinted a return to his homeland would be part of his post-career plans, meaning the move was a considered step rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision. It is, nonetheless, a major life change for Kopitar, who spent his entire NHL career in Los Angeles and became one of the more iconic figures in franchise history.The deal comes right after Kopitar’s final NHL season in 2026-27. The Slovenian center’s career was capped with 1,521 regular-season games and 1,316 points, establishing him as one of the most productive and respected players in Kings’ history. His consistency, leadership and two-way excellence helped define an era of success for the franchise.
Anze Kopitar’s family faces customs delays after relocation
Anze Kopitar’s family is dealing with shipping and customs delays as their belongings are shipped from California to Slovenia.Moving abroad is often a complicated process, and this one has added a new level of inconvenience to a return home that has been long in the planning. Household goods shipped across continents are usually subject to detailed customs checks and documentation and clearance processes that can hold up the release. So families can be left without necessities for a time while they wait for shipments to come in.After retiring, Anze Kopitar returned home to Slovenia primarily to spend more time with his family and to reconnect with his roots, but the move is not just a reflection of family factors; it also reflects Kopitar’s deep personal ties to Slovenia. He and his wife are both Slovenian, and the majority of their extended family still resides there. Going home allows them to reconnect with family more closely and to more fully integrate their children into their cultural heritage.
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How did Anze Kopitar’s Kings career end?
Anze Kopitar played the final game of his 20-year NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings, finishing as one of the franchise’s most decorated players.He retired after playing 1,521 regular-season games and scoring 452 goals and adding 864 assists for a total of 1,316 points, according to NHL records and a Reuters report. He also won two Stanley Cup championships, in 2012 and 2014, which remain defining moments in modern Kings history.Kopitar’s impact in L.A. is more than the numbers. He was team captain for many years and commanded great respect for his leadership, professionalism and consistency on and off the ice. To honour his accomplishments, the Kings announced they will retire his No. 11 jersey and unveil a statue of him outside Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 24, 2027, before a game against the Montreal Canadiens.Ultimately, Kopitar’s move is the closing of a defining North American chapter and the start of a quieter life back home in Slovenia. The transition has been complicated by logistical challenges such as customs delays, but it is a move that has been long planned to go home to family, heritage and life after professional hockey.