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Kopitar is Slovenian for "rising star"
(LOS ANGELES) -- Ever been to Slovenia? Me, neither. If
you gave me a map of the Earth, it's doubtful that I
could point out the country and I was an A student in
geography, back in the day.
History will tell you that the Slovene lands were part
of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria until 1918 when the
Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new
multinational state, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929.
After World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the
renewed Yugoslavia, which though Communist, distanced
itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied with the
exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes
succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991
after a short 10-day war. |
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Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a
stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to
a modern state. With a land mass about the size of New Jersey
and a population just over 2 million, it's not a hotbed of
hockey.
As far as the NHL was concerned, Slovenia only existed in
their collective imagination; no player from the Slovak
country that declared its independence in 1991 had ever seen
its ice.
With the arrival of 19-year-old Anze Kopitar to Los Angeles,
it appears the Slovenians picked a doozy to end their 25-year
drought.
When we first saw Kopitar during the Kings' rookie tournament,
the impression we got watching him play was that he was a man
among boys. Keeping in mind the recent failure of other Kings'
first round picks, we reserved judgment until he played with
the varsity. But now as the Kings past the quarter pole during
a forgettable 2006-07 season, it appears that young Anze is
simply a man among men.
You've read about how skilled he is on the ice; despite the
Kings' lack of offense as a whole and lack of effective wing
men in particular, he continues to pile up the points. His
ability to negotiate in tight quarters and create time and
space for himself is his greatest strength.
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He's not
blessed with the speed of a Sidney Crosby, his lanky
frame reminds us of a younger Vincent Lecavalier more
than a Lemieux or Forsberg. His vision on the ice is
the best seen in Los Angeles since a certain #99
roamed at the Great Western Forum. Even his coach,
Marc Crawford is matter of fact about his talent at
this point.
Late in the last Kings' Monday victory over the San
Jose Sharks, Kopitar threw an incredible cross ice
tape to tape pass to Dustin Brown for the game winner.
When asked about the pass, the old hockey coach
pointed out that it was a great shot by Brown as well.
The fact is, I would have probably potted the goal
with that pass (and I can't skate), but that's how
coaches are. |
Even with the massive on-ice skillset toolbox in his
possesses, we're most impressed with his demeanor and attitude
off the ice.
His educational upbringing allows him to speak and understand
English very well, unlike a good percentage of Eastern
European players. He answers all questions patiently and is
rarely in a bad mood (I guess if I was 19 and in the NHL I'd
be happy, too).
The aspect of his personality that defines him the best is his
incredibly strong self esteem for someone not even of drinking
age. He knows he belongs in this league and is confident he
will succeed. After just 21 games in a Kings' uniform, he
already says the game is coming easier to him.
"I've gotten used to the pace and I'm really enjoying it," he
said. "I expect to play at a high level because I know what
I'm capable of."
Last season, he toiled for Sodertalje SK in the Swedish Elite
league and while his regular season numbers weren't good (8
goals, 20 points, minus-12 in 46 games), the post season is
where he came of age; Anze scored 7 goals in 10 games and had
a plus 7 rating.
With an 82 game schedule standing in front of him, he says the
rigors of the NHL schedule isn’t really a concern
"We had games three times a week last season too, so I'm used
to it," he said. "The travel's not easy in Sweden either, so
I'm not more fatigued.
"I think I'm handling everything fine, maybe the games a
litter faster (than in Sweden) because the rinks are smaller
here."
He even injected some humor about travel in North America:
“There ARE better hotels here."
The Kings, deep into Season 1 of rebuilding, envision Kopitar
as the centerpiece of the franchise over the next decade.
Given his early season success and buzz, expectations are high
that someday he will be a major factor in an elusive
championship.
To have the spotlight shining so brightly on a normal
19-year-old would be asking too much, but we've made the case
that this isn't your Average Anze.
"I feel no pressure on myself, none," he said. "I focus on my
game and try to my best every night."
Dennis
Bernstein, the man behind SCORE! Media, is a columnist for
TheFourthPeriod.com and the Los Angeles Correspondent for The
Fourth Period Magazine.
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