Los Angeles Kings Name Drew Doughty Team Captain
The veteran defenseman takes the mantle as the 15th captain in Los Angeles Kings franchise history.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Hockey
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The Los Angeles Kings have officially named veteran defenseman Drew Doughty as the 15th captain in team history. Doughty steps into the role following the retirement of long-time leader Anze Kopitar at the end of the previous season.
Why it matters
Management selected Doughty for the responsibility due to his deep passion and pride for the franchise. The team looks to his leadership to help break a streak of five consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Doughty brings 18 seasons of experience to the role, having played 1,279 career games with 165 goals and 544 assists for a total of 709 points. He was originally selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NHL Draft.
The players
Drew Doughty
He is a long-standing defenseman who has spent his entire 18-season professional career with the Los Angeles Kings.
Anze Kopitar
He is a legendary former center who served as the team captain for the Los Angeles Kings before his recent retirement.
Artemi Panarin
He is a star forward who joined the Los Angeles Kings organization via a trade conducted on February 4, 2026.
Adrian Kempe
He is a key forward and alternate captain who plays a significant role in the Los Angeles Kings active roster rotation.
Mikey Anderson
He is a defenseman and alternate captain who serves as a core member of the Los Angeles Kings defensive group.
The details
Team leadership, including the general manager and head coach, selected Doughty following internal discussions and consultations with the player. Alongside Doughty, Adrian Kempe, Mikey Anderson, and Artemi Panarin have been named as alternate captains.
Timeline
2008: Kings drafted Drew Doughty.
2012: Kings won first Stanley Cup.
2014: Kings won second Stanley Cup.
February 4, 2026: Artemi Panarin traded to Kings.
October 2026: Drew Doughty named team captain.
Season Trajectory
The transition in leadership marks a critical pivot for a roster that has suffered five consecutive first-round playoff exits. The organization hopes Doughty’s appointment will catalyze a shift in team performance as they navigate the current competitive landscape.
With Doughty named captain, fans and analysts should monitor how his veteran presence influences the ice time and defensive pairings of alternate captains Mikey Anderson and Adrian Kempe. His career-long experience with the franchise will be the primary variable in the team’s quest to end its streak of early playoff eliminations.
The takeaway
Doughty carries the weight of a franchise looking to transform its recent history of early playoff exits into a championship run. His deep connection to the city as a long-time member of the organization serves as the foundation for this new chapter of team leadership.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Los Angeles Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Culver City Observer.
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