The Los Angeles Kings have handed the captaincy to Drew Doughty, turning to one of the defining players of the franchise’s modern era after Anze Kopitar’s retirement.
Doughty takes over as Kings captain
Doughty was named the 15th captain in Kings history on Wednesday, succeeding Kopitar, whose 20-year NHL career ended after the 2025-26 season. Kopitar spent every one of those seasons in Los Angeles and wore the “C” for the previous 10 campaigns.
The 36-year-old Doughty has been part of the club’s leadership group since becoming an alternate captain in 2015-16. Now, the defenseman who arrived as the second overall selection in the 2008 NHL Draft will lead the only NHL organization he has known.
“It is a tremendous honor to captain an NHL team,” Doughty said. “I take enormous pride in it. I want to compete as hard as I can every day for this club, because winning is what drives me to keep improving and pursue success. The Kings are everything to me. I have spent my whole career here, and I want to set the example of what it means to be a King and what championship hockey demands.”
Los Angeles will have Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin and Mikey Anderson wearing alternate captain’s letters alongside Doughty.
Doughty’s case for the job is written across the Kings record book. In 1,279 regular-season games over 18 seasons, he has produced franchise highs by a defenseman in games played, goals (165), assists (544) and points (709). His playoff marks are just as imposing: 105 postseason games, 19 goals, 42 assists and 61 points, all club records for a Kings blueliner.
He was central to Los Angeles’ Stanley Cup runs in 2012 and 2014, then captured the Norris Trophy in 2016 as the NHL’s top defenseman. Internationally, Doughty earned Olympic gold with Canada in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014, adding a silver medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
General manager and vice president Ken Holland said Doughty’s daily approach made him the clear choice to follow Kopitar.
“Drew has earned this opportunity,” Holland said. “He is a champion, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, and he has competed at the top of the sport for a long time. His example comes from the way he approaches every day. That is the standard we want around this team, and Drew is the right person to establish it.”
SEO Title: Drew Doughty named captain of the Los Angeles Kings
SEO Description: Drew Doughty becomes the 15th captain in Los Angeles Kings history, replacing retired longtime captain Anze Kopitar after 18 seasons with the club.
