Anze's Eleven.
Anze Kopitar was born August 24th 1987 in Jesenice, Slovenia. Town of Jesenice is located in North-West of Slovenia, on the border of Austria, Italy and Slovenia. Jesenice is a small town, surrounded with Alps and beautiful nature. With its approximately 20.000 inhabitants is known as a cradle of regional ice-hockey, world famous steel-mill and flowers named Narcisa.
Anze and his family lived in Hrušica, a small village next to Jesenice. Everyone within his family has made an impact in local sports, mostly in basketball and of course in ice-hockey. Anže’s grandpa is actually one of pioneers of Jesenice and regional ice hockey.
Anze's father, Matjaž was a hockey player as well and he is a big role model for both of his sons, Anze and younger Gašper. Matjaž played for Slovenian national hockey team and Slovenian champions Acroni Jesenice. After he was retired, he was coaching many teams within region, but he was most proud of coaching team within which he grew up, team HK Acroni Jesenice in their first pro-season in the Austrian Hockey League, EBEL. Matjaž has also spent last few years as assistant coach of Slovenian National Team. Currently he is a coach with Los Angeles Junior Kings Midget AAA team.
Anže’s younger brother Gašper finished primary school in Slovenia and is now playing for the LA Junior Kings Midget AAA U18 Team and is also continuing family sports tradition.
Their mom, Mateja used to run the family restaurant called Gostišče Kopitar in Hrušica. When Anze started to play in NHL, he needed family support and his family decided to move across the Atlantic Ocean to The City of Angels and Mateja had to let go of family restaurant.
Currently Kopi’s family is residing in a beautiful beach city Manhattan Beach, CA.
Anze spends most of his free time with his friends and with his younger brother. Whenever they find time to hang out together, they are playing variety of sports. Anze likes all sports and when he is not on the ice he likes to play volleyball, tennis, soccer and basketball.
Anze’s Youth Videos & Pictures at WePlay.com
http://www.weplay.com/users/AnzeKopitar
Anze Kopitar & Matjaz Kopitar with The Cup
Anze & his father Matjaz
MVP so many times...
Kopitar brothers
When dreams came true
Anze's childhood revolved around many different sports
M. Sundin & Anze in Sweden
Mayor of Jesenice congratulating Anze for his childhood achievements
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