Chris Kotsopoulos was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on February 25, 1958, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Kotsopoulos began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights in 1975. He played for the Knights for three seasons, from 1975 to 1978, and was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills.
In 1978, Kotsopoulos was drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. He spent most of his first two seasons in the minor leagues, playing for the Indianapolis Checkers and the Fort Worth Texans. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders in the 1980-81 season, playing in 16 games and recording two assists.
Kotsopoulos played for the Islanders for three seasons, from 1980 to 1983. He was known for his physical play and his ability to block shots and clear the crease. He was a key member of the Islanders' defense during their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1983, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.
In 1983, Kotsopoulos was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Jim Benning. He played for the Maple Leafs for two seasons, from 1983 to 1985, and was again known for his physical play and strong defensive skills. He was a fan favorite in Toronto and was known for his willingness to stand up for his teammates.
In 1985, Kotsopoulos was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for defenseman Brad Maxwell. He played for the Red Wings for two seasons, from 1985 to 1987, and was again known for his physical play and strong defensive skills. He was a key member of the Red Wings' defense during his time there.
In 1987, Kotsopoulos was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Tim Watters. He played for the Kings for two seasons, from 1987 to 1989, and was again known for his physical play and strong defensive skills. He was a key member of the Kings' defense during his time there.
Kotsopoulos played his final NHL season with the Hartford Whalers in 1989-90. He played in 47 games for the Whalers, recording two goals and six assists. He retired from professional hockey after the 1990 season.
In total, Kotsopoulos played in 596 NHL games, recording 23 goals and 94 assists for 117 points. He was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills, and was a key member of several NHL teams during his career.
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