Defenseman Drew Doughty becomes the 15th captain in Los Angeles Kings history, taking over for the retired Anze Kopitar as he enters his 19th NHL season.
The Los Angeles Kings named defenseman Drew Doughty the 15th captain in franchise history on Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026. Doughty, 36, takes over the leadership role following the retirement of Anze Kopitar this summer. The 2016 Norris Trophy winner is the final remaining player from the Kings' 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup championship rosters.
Entering his 19th NHL season, Doughty has played his entire career in Los Angeles since being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in 2008. He currently sits 17 games away from tying Dustin Brown for second place on the franchise's all-time games played list at 1,296. The two-time Olympic gold medalist recently helped Canada secure a silver medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
General manager Ken Holland confirmed the appointment as the team transitions under new head coach Peter Laviolette. The roster features recent additions including Artemi Panarin, Erik Haula, Corey Perry, and Mats Zuccarello. While the Kings have qualified for the postseason in five consecutive years, the club has been eliminated in the first round during each of those appearances.
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