Feature Photo: IG / @LAKings

Anze Kopitar’s high praise of teammate Brandt Clarke was far more than just a positive spin.

In the aftermath of a 6-3 home win on Oct. 30, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar was asked for his thoughts on Clarke – the 21-year-old defenceman whose head-turning spin-o-rama move led to a highlight-reel goal netted by the former.

Cue the high praise on a TNT broadcast from one of the most respected players in the game.

“Clarkie is very deceptive,” 37-year-old Kopitar started.

“He’s got a ton of skill and great vision on the ice. … He’s been great for us, quarterbacking our power play.”

What did that mean to the player who is 16 years his junior?

Plenty.

“It means the world,” said Clarke, the eighth overall by the Kings in the 2021 NHL Draft.

“He has helped me from the first day I stepped into this organization. He was the first player to text me on my draft day, which was four years ago, and I still remember and appreciate that.”

The two have been close ever since.

Their friendship extends beyond the arena, including the times they head to Crypto.com Arena together.

“Every day, I can talk to him about anything. He has so much wisdom that he is kind enough to share with me.

“We drive in together to games now – he lives just down the street for me – and we talk about life, hockey, everything – he has been such a huge presence for me, and I am definitely grateful for everything that he has done for me.”

Clarke has similar praise for another veteran teammate, a fellow blueliner whose hockey bio includes two Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada and a James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman.

Currently sidelined as he rehabs from a fractured left ankle, Drew Doughty has been an ideal role model for Clarke.

Despite his absence, the 34-year-old, who like Kopitar, has played his entire career with the Kings, remains a trusted resource for his teammates.

“Drew has been great to me,” said Clarke, who was named captain of the Barrie Colts for the 2021–22 OHL season.

“He has always been in my corner. From day one, he wanted to help me, uplift me – some people see it as a competition, but all he wants to do is see me excel and step into the light that he has held for so long. Once he gets back, he is still going to be holding it for us. He is a terrific player, and I can’t wait to see him back in the lineup.

“He is missed on the road trips, his enthusiasm, his laughter, and everything like that. He has meant so much to me and his support has gone such a long way. I wouldn’t be the player I am without him. Even now, when he isn’t in the lineup, he is talking to me about plays, talking about killing plays in the d-zone and power play situations – he has been phenomenal.”

Clarke, who is averaging nearly a point per game this season through his first 14 games, is feeling right at home in Los Angeles.

The Ottawa-born defenceman, whose older brother Graeme was a 2019 third-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, had his first taste of NHL action in 2022-23 when he skated in nine games. He has since been enjoying life on and off the ice in Southern California, specifically, his home base in Manhattan Beach.

“I love it – maybe living here makes me a little soft,” he said with a laugh. “I remember last year talking to my parents and telling them it was a windy day, or something like that, and they are telling me there is five feet of snow back home.

“This is one of the best spots in the world. We are close to the beach, so we can walk there and down to the pier. It seems like there are never ending things to do.”

There are also plenty of familiar faces.

“We all live in the same area, so it’s easy to hang out with your teammates on off days.

“It is so relaxing to be anywhere in Los Angeles. It has been great, and I feel very fortunate for how everything has worked out.”   

Not that Clarke is resting on any laurels.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

“I appreciate that people think highly of me and see me in a good light, but my expectations of helping the team are higher than anyone could set the bar for me.

“I want to bring the best that I can every single game.”