Kings name Drew Doughty 15th captain in team history
One of the greatest players to ever lace up his skates will don the ‘C’ this season.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings announced that Drew Doughty has been named the 15th captain in team history.
Forwards Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin, as well as defenseman Mikey Anderson, will be the team’s alternate captains for the 2026-27 season.
In a statement, Doughty admitted that captaining a team in the NHL is a true honor.
“It’s something I take great pride in,” Doughty said. “I try to compete as hard as I possibly can every single day for this team, and winning is what fuels me, it’s why I keep pushing to get better and chase success. The Kings mean everything to me. I’ve played my entire career here, and I want to lead this team by example, showing what it means to be a King and what it takes to win championships.”
Doughty is just the third captain the Kings have had since he entered the NHL in 2008. The second-overall pick in that year’s draft saw teammates Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar both carry the role as on-ice leaders. Kopitar, who retired this past season, was captain for a franchise-record 10 seasons.
Doughty joins a list of Hockey Hall of Famers who have worn the ‘C’ in Hollywood – Rob Blake, Luc Robitaille, Bob Pulford and, of course, Wayne Gretzky. Granted, Kopitar and Doughty are destined for the Hall once their time comes.
The London, Ont. native isn’t just one of the best players in Kings’ history, but one of the best defenders of all time, let alone in his era. He sits third in franchise history in regular-season games played (1,279), trailing only Brown (1,296) and Kopitar (1,521). Along with his 165 goals, which is the most by an L.A. blueliner, Doughty ranks sixth in assists (544) and eighth in points (709) during the regular season. His play earned him the Norris Trophy in 2015-16.
Doughty is also second in playoff games played (105) as a King behind Kopitar (107), while placing ninth in goals (19), along with being fourth in assists (42) and points (61) in the postseason.
What has made Doughty a legend is his toughness and winning pedigree. He played a crucial role in helping the Kings win Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. With Canada, he won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, along with a silver medal in Milan this past February. He has helped his country win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.