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Anze Kopitar named as new captain for Los Angeles Kings

By Pamela Rios

Apr 18, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) reacts in the game against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of game three in the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) reacts in the game against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of game three in the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Anze Kopitar must take on a new role in Los Angeles.

On Thursday the Los Angeles Kings announced that center Anze Kopitar will be appointed as the team’s next captain going into the 2016-2017 regular season.

Kopitar, 28, will serve as the franchise’s 14th different captain in its history; he had previously served as one of the team’s alternate captains since 2008.

The appointment did not come as a surprise to most, as Kopitar has been one of the team’s most consistent and effective players since his arrival — he has lead the team in scoring for eight years in a row.

But Kopitar was coming off of perhaps one of his best seasons in the NHL this time around, as he scored 25 goals and put up 74 points total in 81 games during the 2015-2016 regular season.

His stellar season was capped off with a nomination as a Selke Trophy finalist, which is an award for the league’s best two-way center.

Kopitar was also named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to the player in the league who best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

He was recently signed to an 8-year contract extension worth $80M earlier this year.

The news comes just a few weeks after the team announced that 31-year-old right winger Dustin Brown would be stripped of his captaincy.

Brown had served as captain since the 2008-2009 season, leading the team to its first two Stanley Cup Championships in 2012 and 2014.

Since the 2011-2012 regular season, Brown had seen a considerable drop in on-ice production; it is not clear what his leadership role on the team will be going forward.

Another top candidate considered to have replaced Brown was top defenseman Drew Doughty, who is known for his tendency to take charge on the ice and vocalize his opinions.

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It is likely that with Kopitar’s promotion, Doughty will fill in the vacancy of alternate captain.

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