KINGS NOTEBOOK: KINGS' FIRST-ROUND PICK TO STAY CLOSER TO HOME.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - By all accounts, Anze Kopitar has the talent and maturity, both physically and mentally, to play for the Kings' top minor-league team this season, but instead he is headed to Sweden next week.

The Kings gave Kopitar, their first-round pick in this year's draft, the option of playing in the American Hockey League, which might mean a quicker path to the NHL, but Kopitar has chosen to play in Sweden's pro league, and will leave the Kings' training camp Wednesday to prepare for that season.

It's a matter of comfort for Kopitar. He turned 18 less than a month ago and has concerns about being so far away from his native Slovenia during his first full professional season.

``I would be all by myself, so right now Sweden is the best option for me,'' Kopitar said. ``Maybe I'm not ready yet, just to come to America and live here. Obviously, when you leave home it doesn't matter how many miles you go, but to go to another continent, that's a big difference.''

Coach Andy Murray and general manager Dave Taylor were impressed with Kopitar's first week in training camp.

The Kings contractually have the right to assign Kopitar to the AHL, where they could keep better track of his progress, but Taylor said he would honor Kopitar's wish to play overseas.

``He went from Slovenia to Sweden last year, and he just felt another big step would be too much right now,'' Taylor said. ``We've been very pleased with him. He plays with a lot of poise.''

--Quick whistles: The Kings played three intrasquad scrimmages Friday, and Murray cited forward Sean Avery and goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji as two of the day's top standouts. Avery, a natural winger, spent this week working as a center. ... Tonight's preseason game will be broadcast only on radio (710-AM), on tape delay after the Angels game.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com