Doughty Named Kings Captain After Kopitar Retirement
Doughty Named Kings Captain After Kopitar Retirement
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Key Points
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Doughty will become only the seventh defenseman in Kings history to serve as team captain.
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Doughty begins the 2026-27 season 17 games short of tying Dustin Brown for second place in Kings history in games played, and 21 games away from becoming the 22nd defenseman in NHL history to reach 1,300 games.
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Doughty had served as a Kings alternate captain since 2016, the same year Kopitar assumed the captaincy.
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Doughty recorded five goals and 23 points in 72 games during the 2025-26 season and represented Canada at the Olympics for the third time.
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Coach Peter Laviolette said Doughty “sets the tone with the way he competes, and that’s contagious,” describing him as the right choice to lead the team after getting to know him personally.
The Los Angeles Kings named defenseman Drew Doughty the 15th captain in franchise history, succeeding Anze Kopitar after his retirement. Pro Hockey Rumors reported that Doughty, 36, is entering his 19th season with the Kings and has spent his entire career with Los Angeles, accumulating 1,279 games played and 709 points.
Doughty is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, 2016 Norris Trophy winner, and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Daily Breeze noted that he becomes only the seventh defenseman in Kings history to serve as team captain.
A Franchise Cornerstone Steps Into Leadership
Doughty has been a Kings staple for nearly two decades. MRT reported that he served as an alternate captain since 2016-17, the same year Kopitar took over the captaincy. He is the franchise leader among defensemen in major statistical categories including games played, goals, assists, and points.
Coach Peter Laviolette praised Doughty's selection, saying he "sets the tone with the way he competes, and that's contagious." Daily Breeze noted that Laviolette described Doughty as the right choice to lead after getting to know him personally.
Doughty Close to Historic Milestones
The 36-year-old defenseman is on the verge of multiple franchise records. Pro Hockey Rumors reported that Doughty enters the 2026-27 season just 17 games short of tying Dustin Brown for second place in Kings games played. He is also 21 games away from becoming the 22nd defenseman in NHL history to reach 1,300 games.
Alternate Captains Complete Leadership Group
Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin, and Mikey Anderson were named alternate captains for the 2026-27 season. Pro Hockey Rumors reported the leadership appointments as the Kings prepare for training camp. Last season, Doughty recorded five goals and 23 points in 72 games while representing Canada at the Olympics for the third time.
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