Anze Kopitar is killing it for the Los Angeles Kings. Almost a quarter of the way into the 2009-10 NHL season, Kopitar leads the league in goals (14) and points (28), and is fifth in assists (14). He is seventh in power play goals (4) and is fourteenth in plus-minus (plus eight). Being the first Slovene player in the NHL, it’s no surprise that this guy is as good as he is. He scored two goals in his first NHL game, and added three assists the following night. The reason why anybody was even looking in Slovenia was because they were trying to find him.

He hasn’t missed a game in the last two seasons, and has been able to put up some incredible numbers because of it. In just 254 career games, he’s put 232 points on the board, and is just seven goals shy of the century mark. What’s more impressive about his totals is that he’s averaging just over 20 minutes on the ice per night. Sure, having Alex Ovechkin sitting out for the last week has helped Kopitar increase his lead over the recovering Russian. Regardless, that’s not bad for a 22-year-old player who gives unique meaning to “representing his country.”

Kopitar was born in then-Yugoslavia in 1987 and grew up playing hockey. His father was a retired hockey player who coached the sport, teaching his son how to play. Always a gifted scorer, Kopitar rose through the various teams and leagues by leaps and bounds, eventually catching the attention of the Los Angeles Kings, who drafted him 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He remained in Sweden for the following year before accepting an invitation to the Kings’ rookie camp in 2006. Kopitar next represented the Western Conference at his first All-Star Game in 2008. In October of last year, he signed a seven-year, $47.6 million contract extension with the Kings.

The Kings are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 10-6-2 record, thanks in large part to the offensive skills that Kopitar brings with him. The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since 2002, and have only advanced past the first round once since they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993. The Kings of 2009-10 are a different bunch though. With Kopitar’s talent, youth, and endurance leading the charge – and the score sheet – the Kings have one of the best chances they’ve had in years. Now all they need to do is hold on for another 64 games.