Anze Kopitar Wins Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for Third Time

Anze Kopitar wins the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the third time, joining Wayne Gretzky as a multiple-time winner of the award for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in the NHL.

Anze Kopitar, a Slovenian forward for the Los Angeles Kings, has been awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career. The trophy recognizes the NHL player who best combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high-quality hockey.

And the "Nicest NHL Player" award goes to... 🏆

Anze Kopitar's kids surprised him with his third Lady Byng Memorial Trophy during a day of family golf in Slovenia. 🥹

Catch the 2025 #NHLAwards before Game 4 of the #StanleyCup Final TONIGHT at 6p ET on @NHL_On_TNT and… pic.twitter.com/yoLqTKXgdk

— NHL (@NHL) June 12, 2025

Kopitar, 37, joins an elite group of players with at least three Lady Byng wins. His previous wins were in the 2015/16 and 2022/23 seasons. Other finalists included Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights and Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Anze Kopitar secured the award with 856 points, having been listed first on 50 occasions out of 132 votes cast by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). He garnered more points than other top contenders, Auston Matthews (793 points) and Jack Eichel (782 points).

Another one ✅

Captain @AnzeKopitar collects his third Lady Byng of his career! 👏

📲 https://t.co/q5QRw8mVp5 #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/hnIN1aPWPC

— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 12, 2025

During the regular season, Kopitar played 81 games, scoring 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists) while demonstrating exceptional discipline with only two two-minute penalties. He joins Wayne Gretzky as one of the few players to win the award multiple times, with Gretzky having won it three times (1991, 1992, and 1994).

Kopitar is currently on a 93-game streak with no more than one two-minute penalty per game, starting from March 23rd, 2024. This impressive discipline reflects his consistent sportsmanship on the ice.

Throughout his NHL career, which began in 2006/07, Kopitar has had four streaks of at least 130 games with minimal penalties. His longest streak lasted 315 games, from January 4th, 2020, to March 19th, 2024.

Jack Eichel, 28, had a career-high season with 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games for the Vegas Golden Knights, showcasing his exceptional skill. He maintained a +32 rating for goals scored and allowed while on ice, demonstrating his impact on both ends of the ice.

Brayden Point, 29, scored 82 points (42 goals, 40 assists) in 77 games. Notably, he received just seven penalty minutes, the fewest among players in the top 50 for productivity, highlighting his disciplined play.