Slovenian journalists named Anze Kopitar the country’s male athlete of 2012 according to RTV Slovenia (and his brother Gasper).
(One would assume that Kopitar is named Slovenia’s best hockey player every year, at the minimum.)
Kopitar edged hammer thrower Primož Kosmus, gaining 261 votes to Kozmus’ 182. Kozmus won a sliver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, but apparently Kopitar’s Stanley Cup achievement makes an argument that the silver chalice is superior to a silver medal.
(At least for hammer-throwing.)
Kopitar had 76 points in 82 regular season games and 20 points in 20 playoff contests last season. He’s currently playing on Swedish second division team Mora IK with his brother Gasper.