The Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday named Drew Doughty their new captain, succeeding Anze Kopitar after the center retired this summer. Doughty is the only player remaining from the Kings' 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup-winning teams.

The 36-year-old defenseman enters his 19th NHL season, all with Los Angeles. Drafted No. 2 in 2008, he joined the NHL roster as a teenager and won the Norris Trophy in 2016. He becomes the 15th captain in Kings history.

Doughty, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada, also helped the country win silver at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. He is 17 games from tying Dustin Brown for second in Kings appearances at 1,296.

Los Angeles is navigating a transition under new coach Peter Laviolette and Artemi Panarin. The front office added veterans Erik Haula, Corey Perry and Mats Zuccarello. The Kings have reached the playoffs in five straight seasons but lost in the first round each time.