Anze Kopitar Selke Trophy (2018)

Lore & Background

The victory was particularly poignant as it marked the first time a player from Slovenia had ever won the award, bridging the gap between European hockey traditions and North American dominance. For the Kings organization, which had already tasted Stanley Cup glory with Kopitar at the helm in 2012 and 2014, this honor validated his evolution into an all-around complete player. It was a recognition that went beyond statistics; it was an acknowledgment of the intangible pressure he exerted on opponents simply by dropping the gloves or positioning himself to break up plays.

Reader's Guide

The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the forward who demonstrates the most outstanding defensive play in the National Hockey League. Anže Kopitar secured this prestigious honor at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, officially receiving it during the NHL Awards ceremony in June 2018. This achievement was significant because it crowned a career defined by consistency and two-way excellence. While many players excel on one side of the puck, Kopitar's unique value lay in his ability to be a primary offensive threat while simultaneously serving as the team's most reliable defensive anchor.

His win highlighted the importance of centers who can control the game from both ends of the ice. For the Los Angeles Kings, this trophy reinforced their identity as a team built on structure and responsibility. Kopitar's Selke win was not an anomaly but the culmination of years of setting the standard for what a center should be in the modern NHL.