The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded to the player who is best at combining sportsmanship and ability.
Kopitar was also a top-vote getter (Top 5) for the Lady Byng in 2015 and 2010 as well. The following Kings have won the Lady Byng: Wayne Gretzky-1994, 1992 and 1991; Butch Goring-1978; Marcel Dionne-1977. Other Kings to have been a finalist/top-vote-getter (Top 5) are: Ziggy Palffy (2001), Gretzky (1990 and 1989), Jimmy Carson (1988), Dionne (1983, 1980 and 1979), Goring (1976, 1975 and 1974) and Bob Nevin (1975).
Below is a look at Kopitar’s 2015-16 regular season notes and statistics:
Kopitar is set to begin his 11th season with the Kings, and he’s served as an assistant captain for the team since 2008. This past season, he led the Kings in scoring for a record-setting ninth consecutive season, totaling 74 points (25-49=74) in 81 regular season games. He added an additional four points (2-2=4) in five post-season games during the recently completed 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Kopitar signed an eight-year contract extension with the Kings on January 16, 2016. The contract extension begins with the 2016-17 season and runs through the 2023-24 season. Kopitar is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (2012 and 2014), and he ranks sixth on the Kings career scoring list with 684 points (243-441=684) in 764 career regular season games. On the Kings career post-season scoring list, Kopitar ranks third all-time with 64 points (20-44=64) in 75 career post-season games. Kopitar is a 28-year-old native of Jesenice, Slovenia. He was drafted by the Kings in the first-round (11th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and he made his Kings/NHL debut during the 2006-07 season.
