Devastating blow as Anze Kopitar abandons Slovenia's Olympic qualifiers

The absence of their most renowned hockey player is a significant blow as Slovenia competes against France and Ukraine.

Rough spot for Slovenia 🇸🇮 - as Anze Kopitar 🇸🇮 will not play for his nation in the final round of the 2026 Olympic Qualifiers later this month, leaving the national team without an NHLer.

Slovenia is in a group with Latvia 🇱🇻, France 🇫🇷, and Ukraine 🇺🇦. Each team will face one another once, and the top team in the group will secure a spot at the 2026 Olympics.

Slovenia faces a setback as the qualifying round coincides with the NHL season's start. Players like Kopitar and Marco Rossi will be prioritizing their club teams, while some NHLers, such as Freddy Andersen, will be participating, many others cannot join their national teams for these vital games.

It's a real shame for Slovenia as Kopitar, now in his 30s, remains one of the league's top performers. Last season, he scored 26 goals and provided 44 assists for a total of 70 points in 81 games. Although his ice time has slightly decreased with the Kings, he remains a vital force on the ice and is expected to continue his impressive performance into the upcoming season.

An�e Kopitar boasts 419 career NHL goals and 1211 points in 1373 games. His accolades include two Stanley Cups, two Selke Trophies, two Lady Byng Trophies, and a Mark Messier Leadership Award. Kopitar's legacy with the Kings is undeniable, and he is anticipated to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame once his career concludes.

Source: House of Hockey
Anze Kopitar abandons his team at critical moment for Olympics qualification