Tampa Bay Lightning’s captain, Victor Hedman, disclosed on Tuesday that his recent absence during the final weeks of the season was due to his focus on addressing his mental well-being. Hedman, through a statement from the Lightning, did not delve into the specifics of his challenges. His hiatus saw him miss the last 22 games of the season, including the team’s playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite being present around the team in recent weeks and participating in some practices, Hedman’s last on-ice appearance dates back to mid-March. The 35-year-old defenseman, a prominent figure in the Lightning roster for all of his 17 NHL seasons since being the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, played a limited 33 games this season, the least in his career. This was partly due to his absence and also influenced by injuries that restricted him to just three games from November to February. He also represented Sweden at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Expressing gratitude towards his teammates, family, the Lightning organization, and his therapist for their unwavering support, Hedman emphasized that he is now in a significantly improved mental state. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health in professional sports, stating, “This is something that exists in our game more than people see. If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”