| Victor Hedman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Hedman with theTampa Bay Lightning in December 2014 | |||
| Born | (1990-12-18)18 December 1990 (age 35) Örnsköldsvik, Sweden | ||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | ||
| Weight | 244[1] lb (111 kg; 17 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams | Tampa Bay Lightning Modo Hockey Barys Astana | ||
| National team |  Sweden | ||
| NHL draft | 2nd overall,2009 Tampa Bay Lightning | ||
| Playing career | 2007–present | ||
Victor Erik Olof Hedman (pronounced[ˈvɪ̌kːtɔrˈhěːdman]; born 18 December 1990) is a Swedish professionalice hockey player who is adefenceman andcaptain for theTampa Bay Lightning of theNational Hockey League (NHL). Hedman was selected second overall by the Lightning in the2009 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut that year.
Widely considered at one time to be one of the best defencemen in the NHL, Hedman is a six-timeJames Norris Memorial Trophy finalist, winning the award in2018. Hedman won theStanley Cup back-to-back with the Lightning in2020 and2021, and won theConn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in2020.
Hedman began hisjunior ice hockey career in the SwedishJ20 SuperElit with theModo Hockey organization. He recorded 25 points in 34 games during his first full season in the league in 2006–07. Hedman then turned professional and joined theElitserien with Modo at age 16. At the beginning of the2008–09 season, he was ranked first overall amongst all draft-eligible skaters in the International Scouting Services' preliminary rankings.[2] In the same season, he was nominated as theSHL Rookie of the Year. Following his performance at the2009 World Junior Championships forSweden, Hedman was listed atop the rankings of European skaters by theNHL Central Scouting Bureau. Despite the unlikelihood of Hedman playing in Russia, he was drafted 83rd overall by theKontinental Hockey League (KHL)'sSpartak Moscow on 1 June 2009.[3]
Going into the2009 NHL Entry Draft, Hedman was listed as the second-ranked player and top European player. He was drafted second overall by theTampa Bay Lightning, behindJohn Tavares, who was drafted first overall by theNew York Islanders.[4][5]
Hedman has drawn comparisons toHart Trophy-winning defencemanChris Pronger, who is also 6' 6" and 220 pounds, as well as also being drafted second overall.[6]
Hedman made his NHL debut for the Lightning on 3 October 2009, against theAtlanta Thrashers. He registered his first point, an assist, on aMartin St. Louis goal. On 5 November, Hedman suffered aconcussion in a 3–2 overtime win over theOttawa Senators after being on the receiving end of a hit from Senators' defenceman and enforcerChris Neil, resulting in him missing the following game two days later against theMontreal Canadiens before returning for the game five days after againstLos Angeles Kings.[7] His first NHL goal was then scored on 5 December againstDwayne Roloson of theNew York Islanders. The2009–10 season, his rookie season, ended with Hedman playing 74 games with four goals, 16 assists and 20 points.
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On 5 January 2011, halfway into his sophomore NHL season in2010–11, Hedman checkedPittsburgh Penguins centre and captainSidney Crosby from behind, receiving a minor boarding penalty. The hit was one of two that were eventually blamed for causing a severe concussion on Crosby that kept him out of play for the rest of the season and most of the2011–12 season.[8][9] After ending the 2010–11 season with three goals, 23 assists and 26 points in 79 games and helped the Lightning clinch a playoff spot for the first time since2007, Hedman made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on 13 April 2011 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[10] On 15 April in Game 2, Hedman recorded his first career playoff assist and point on a goal byEric Brewer.[11] Hedman and the Lightning would make a surprisingly deep playoff run throughout the2011 playoffs as they would eventually defeat the fourth-seeded Penguins in seven games (after initially trailing 3–1 in earlier in the series) and then sweep the top-seededWashington Capitals in four games in the second round before getting defeated by the third-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup championBoston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games, one win short from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.[12]
On 29 November 2011, shortly into the 2011–12 season, Hedman signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with Tampa Bay.[13] On 27 December, Hedman suffered a concussion in a 5–1 victory against thePhiladelphia Flyers, resulting in him missing the next 13 games.[14] Hedman ultimaely ended the season with five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 61 games.
On 25 September 2012, it was announced that Hedman signed a contract withBarys Astana of the KHL during the2012–13 NHL lockout.[15] In January 2013, Hedman returned to the NHL after lockout ended, playing 44 games of the shortened 48-game season and registering four goals, 16 assists and 20 points.
During the2013–14 season, Hedman had a breakout season, posting a career best in goals (13), assists (42) and points (55) in 75 contests played as the Lightning as a team finished third in the East, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since2011. His 42 assists led the team in that statistic. In Game 4 in the opening round of the2014 playoffs on 22 April 2014, Hedman scored his first career playoff goal onMontreal Canadiens goaltenderCarey Price.[16] The sixth-seeded Canadiens would eventually win the game 4–3 against the Lightning to complete the four game sweep.
Hedman picked up right where he left off to start the2014–15 season. However, his strong start would be derailed after he suffered a broken finger in a game against theVancouver Canucks on 18 October 2014, which was expected to rule him out of play for four-to-six weeks.[17] At the time of this injury, Hedman was tied for the lead amongst NHL defencemen with seven points and was considered a possibleJames Norris Memorial Trophy candidate for Defenceman of the Year entering into the season.[18] Despite this injury, Hedman still had a productive season with the Lightning, scoring 10 goals, 28 assists and 38 points in 59 games played. After Game 2 of theStanley Cup Finals against theChicago Blackhawks on 6 June 2015, Hedman had recorded two points with two assists on goals byCédric Paquette andJason Garrison to secure the spot as the point leader by a Lightning defencemen in a single playoff year, with 1 goal, 11 assists and 12 points up that point in the2015 playoffs.[19] On 8 June, during Game 3 of the Finals, Hedman recorded assists on goals byRyan Callahan and Cédric Paquette to set the Lightning franchise record for most career playoff assists (20) and points (23) by a defenceman, surpassingDan Boyle, who previously held the record with three goals and 19 assists (22 points).[20] The Lightning would eventually lose the series to the Blackhawks in six games and Hedman finished the playoffs with a goal and 13 assists for 14 points in all 26 games.[21]
On 15 October 2015, in a 5–3 loss to theDallas Stars, Hedman suffered aconcussion after being on the receiving end of a hit by Stars' forward and captainJamie Benn, causing him to miss the next game two days later against theBuffalo Sabres and returning to the lineup in the game after, three days later against theNashville Predators.[22] He eventually finished the2015–16 season with 10 goals and a team-leading 37 assists for 47 points in 78 games played. On 20 May 2016, Hedman recorded two assists in a 4–3 Lightning win over thePittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the2016 playoffs on goals by Ryan Callahan andJonathan Drouin, respectively.[23] The two assists moved Hedman pastVincent Lecavalier (28) andBrad Richards (29) for number two all-time in playoff assists with the franchise.[24] In Game 6 on 24 May, Hedman played his 64th career playoff game to become the leader in playoff games played for the Lightning. He surpassed former teammates Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, who were tied for the most playoff games played in franchise history beforehand.[25] The Lightning would eventually fall in seven games to the Penguins in the third round of the playoffs by losing Game 7 2–1 for a 4–3 defeat in the series, one win short from a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.[26]
On 1 July 2016, the Lightning re-signed Hedman to an eight-year contract extension worth $7.875 million per season. In theprevious season, Hedman led all Lightning defencemen in goals (10), assists (37), points (47) and plus-minus. He also led all Lightning skaters in assists, plus-minus, average ice time (23:03), takeaways (48) and blocked shots (132). He also posted a career-high with a plus-21 rating. Hedman currently ranks third all-time in franchise history among defencemen in career points (229), behind Dan Boyle (253) andPavel Kubina (243). He is also second all-time among defencemen in assists (180) and fourth for goals (49). Hedman ranks third all-time among Lightning defencemen for games played, trailing only Pavel Kubina (662) andCory Sarich (490). In addition, Hedman is the Bolts' all-time playoff leader for points, goals, assists and plus-minus among defencemen.[27] On 26 October, Hedman recorded his 50th career NHL goal.[28] The goal came in a 7–3 Lightning victory over theToronto Maple Leafs at theAir Canada Centre.[29] On 5 November, Hedman recorded his 187th assist on aBrian Boyle goal, which tied him with Dan Boyle for most career assists by a Lightning defenceman.[30] The assist came in a 4–1 Lightning victory over the visitingNew Jersey Devils.[31] On 10 November, Hedman recorded his 188th career assist on a goal byNikita Kucherov against the New York Islanders which is the most assists by a defenceman in Lightning history.[32] Hedman is now seventh in franchise history in assists.[33] On 14 November, Hedman recorded his 189th assist, which tied withBrian Bradley for sixth in assists in Lightning history. The assist came on a Ryan Callahan goal in a 4–0 Lightning win over the New York Islanders at theBarclays Center.[34] On 15 November, Hedman recorded his 190th assist on aSteven Stamkos goal, which moved Hedman past Bradley for sixth all time in assists in Lightning history. The assist came in a 4–3 win over theDetroit Red Wings atJoe Louis Arena.[35] On 21 November against the Nashville Predators, Hedman recorded an assist on aTyler Johnson goal, which was Hedman's 243rd career point. This put Hedman into a tie with Pavel Kubina for tenth place on the Lightning's all-time scoring list.[36] Hedman also tied with Kubina for second all-time in points by a defencemen in Lightning history. On 23 November, Hedman recorded a goal in a 4–2 Lightning victory over the visitingPhiladelphia Flyers. This was Hedman's 244th career point, which moved him past Kubina for second in points by a defenceman and tenth in points in Lightning history.[37] On 14 December, Hedman skated in his 500th career NHL game, which came in a 6–3 Lightning victory over theCalgary Flames. Additionally, Hedman recorded three assists on goals byAlex Killorn,Andrej Šustr and Brian Boyle respectively and thereafter needed two points to tie Dan Boyle (253) for most all-time points by a Lightning defenceman.[38] On 16 December, Hedman recorded his 253rd career NHL point in a 4–2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks with a goal on Canucks' goaltenderRyan Miller, which moved him into a tie with Dan Boyle.[39] On 17 December, Hedman became the all-time leader in points by a defenceman with his 254th career point, an assist on a goal by Jonathan Drouin in a 3–2 win over theEdmonton Oilers. As a result of this milestone, Hedman also moved into ninth place on the all-time franchise list for all skaters.[40] On 20 December, Hedman recorded his 200th career NHL assist on a goal scored byBrayden Point.[41] Hedman also became the first defencemen in Lightning history to record 200 career assists.[42] On 28 December against the Montreal Canadiens, Hedman recorded two points, a goal on Canadiens goaltender Carey Price and an assist on a goal byOndřej Palát to move pastChris Gratton in to eighth place on the Lightning's all-time scoring list.[43] On 10 January 2017, Hedman was named to the2017 NHL All-Star Game as a member of the Atlantic Division team.[44] On 23 February, Hedman recorded his 526th and 527th career hits in a game against the Calgary Flames, which moved him past Eric Brewer for the most hits in Lightning history.[45][46] On 11 March, Hedman recorded his 287th career point in a Lightning uniform with an assist on a Nikita Kucherov goal in a 3–2 Lightning win over theFlorida Panthers. This moved him pastFredrik Modin for seventh-most points all-time in franchise history.[47] On 27 March, in a 5–4 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Hedman recorded his 50th assist of the season to become the first defenceman in Lightning history to record 50th assists in a single season.[48] On 30 March, Hedman recorded an assist on a goal by Jonathan Drouin in the second period to move him pastRoman Hamrlík for the most points (66) in a single season by a defenceman in Lightning history as the Lightning would defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5–3.[49] On 6 April, in a 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Hedman recorded three assists on goals by Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point andMichaël Bournival to become the first defenceman in Lightning history to reach 70 points in a single season.[50] Hedman also joinedBörje Salming,Nicklas Lidström andErik Karlsson as the only Swedish defencemen to reach 70 points in a single season.[51] On 9 April in the2016–17 season finale, Hedman recorded a goal and an assist on a Brayden Point goal in a 4–2 Lightning win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres.[52] Hedman's two points moved him past Brian Bradley for sixth all-time in franchise history in points (301).[53] Hedman completed the season with a career-high in goals, assists and points with 16 goals, 56 assists and 72 points recorded in 79 games played. His 56 assists led the Lightning in assists. Hedman and the Lightning would miss the2017 playoffs by just one point in the standings.[54] On 21 April, Hedman was named as a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time in his career, which is awarded annually to the NHL's top defenceman.[55] Hedman finished third in Norris voting that season as the award ultimately went toBrent Burns of theSan Jose Sharks.[56] On 21 June, Hedman was named as an NHL Second Team All Star for the 2016–17 season.[57]
On 12 October 2017, Hedman skated in his 553rd NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which moved him past Brad Richards for fifth-most games played in Lightning history.[58] On the same night, Hedman recorded his 66th career NHL goal, which moved him into a tie with Dan Boyle for second-most goals by a Lightning defencemen in franchise history.[59] On 4 November, Hedman recorded two assists on goals by Steven Stamkos andYanni Gourde in a 5–4 Lightning win over the visitingColumbus Blue Jackets.[60] The two assists moved Hedman pastVáclav Prospal (245) for fifth-most assists in Lightning franchise history.[61] On 10 January 2018, Hedman was named to the2018 NHL All-Star Game.[62] Hedman also became the only defenceman in Lightning history to be named to multiple All-Star Games.[63] However, he could not play due to injury and he was replaced by teammate Brayden Point.[64] Hedman was unable to play in the All-Star Game due to a knee injury suffered on 11 January in a game against the Calgary Flames in a knee-on-knee collission with Flames' forwardGarnet Hathaway. However, Hedman did participate in the event by serving an assistant equipment manager.[65] On 8 February, Hedman recorded a goal in a 5–2 win over the visiting Vancouver Canucks. The goal moved Hedman past Pavel Kubina for the most goals by a defenceman in franchise history.[66] On 3 March, Hedman recorded a four-point game in a 7–6 Lightning shootout win over the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. With his four-point effort, Hedman became the only defenceman in Lightning history to record multiple 4+ point games.[67] Hedman finished the2017–18 season with 17 goals and 46 assists for 63 points in 77 games played and a career high +32 rating to help the Lightning not only return to the playoffs after the team narrowly missed the year prior but also helping the Lightning finish the season as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. In the2018 playoffs, Hedman and the Lightning would go on another lengthy playoff run having defeated the eighth-seeded New Jersey Devils in five games and the third-seededBoston Bruins in five games in the first two rounds before being defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games by the second-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup ChampionWashington Capitals, one win short of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals once more.[68] Hedman ended the playoffs with 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in all 17 games played. On 20 June, at the 2018 NHL awards, Hedman won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time in his career. This was Hedman's second consecutive nomination and second time for his career for the award.[69] Hedman was the first defenceman in Lightning history to win the award.[70]
Shortly before the2018–19 season began, Hedman was namedalternate captain for the Lightning.[71] On 29 December 2018, Hedman recorded his 300th career NHL assist on a Nikita Kucherov goal against the Montreal Canadiens.[72] On 10 January 2019, Hedman skated in his 663rd game in a Lightning uniform in a 3–1 win over theCarolina Hurricanes. This moved Hedman past Pavel Kubina for the most games played by a defenceman in franchise history.[73] On 10 February, Hedman recorded his 400th career NHL point with an assist on a goal scored by Yanni Gourde in a 5–4 Lightning victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.[74][75] On 5 March, Hedman moved past Dan Boyle for most power play points by a defenceman in Lightning history (127) with an assist on a goal by Brayden Point in a 5–2 win over theWinnipeg Jets.[76] Hedman finished the season playing in 70 games with 12 goals, 42 assists and 54 points. The Lighting won their firstPresidents' Trophy as the regular season champions, tying the1995–96 Detroit Red Wings for a league record of 62 wins in an 82-game season.[77] Despite the regular season dominance, the Lightning would surprisingly get swept in the first round of the2019 playoffs by the eighth-seeded Columbus Blue Jackets. In the four game sweep, Hedman would be held pointless in the first two games of the series before missing the final two games due to an undisclosed injury in game two. Hedman was a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the third consecutive season, which eventually went to Calgary Flames captainMark Giordano.[78]
On 5 December 2019, Hedman scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 5–4 loss against theMinnesota Wild against goaltenderAlex Stalock.[79] Hedman became the first defenceman in Lightning history to record 100 regular season goals and the seventh Swedish-born defenceman to do so.[80][81] On 30 December, Hedman was announced as a selection for the2020 NHL All-Star Game.[82] Hedman was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the fourth consecutive season, which eventually went toNashville Predators captainRoman Josi.[83] On 23 August 2020, Hedman scored two goals in a 3–2 loss against thePresidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins on goaltenderJaroslav Halák in the first game of the second round of the2020 playoffs.[84] The goals moved Hedman past Vincent Lecavalier for fifth-most points (53) in Lightning playoff history.[85] On 25 August, Hedman recorded an assist on a goal byBlake Coleman in a Game 2 overtime victory over the Bruins.[86] The assist moved him pastSteven Stamkos for fourth-most playoff points (54) in Lightning history. The assist also moved Hedman past Erik Karlsson andCalle Johansson for fourth-most playoff assists (44) among Swedish defencemen.[87] On 31 August, Hedman scored the game-winning goal and series clinching double-overtime goal over the Bruins. The goal was his fourth of the series and fifth of the playoffs.[88] The four goals set a franchise record for most goals by a defenceman in a single playoff series. The fifth goal extended his current Lightning record of most goals by a defencemen in a single playoff year.[89] As the Lightning defeated theDallas Stars in six games in the2020 Stanley Cup Finals for their secondStanley Cup in franchise history, Hedman was awarded theConn Smythe Trophy by NHL commissionerGary Bettman as the most valuable player in the playoffs.[90] His ten goals during the 2020 playoffs were the third-most by a defenceman during a playoff year in league history, behind onlyPaul Coffey (12 in1985 andBrian Leetch (11 in1994).
On 16 March 2021, Hedman recorded his 500th point in a 4–3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars with an assist on a goal scored by captain Steven Stamkos. On 17 April, Hedman recorded his 400th NHL assist on a goal scored byErik Černák in a 5–3 loss to theFlorida Panthers, becoming the first defenceman in franchise history to reach that mark.[91] Hedman recorded nine goals and 36 assists for 46 points and played in 55 games of the2020–21 season, which was shortened to 56 games due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic. Hedman was a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth-straight season although the award ultimately went toAdam Fox of theNew York Rangers.[92] Hedman and the Lightning repeated at Stanley Cup champions in2021 by defeating the Montreal Canadiens in five games in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals after defeating the Florida Panthers in six games, Carolina Hurricanes in five games and New York Islanders in seven games in the first three rounds, respectively.[93] After the Lightning's championship, it was revealed that Hedman played the last several weeks of the season and the entire playoffs with a torn meniscus that was initially sustained on 30 March in a 3–1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.[94]
On 9 May 2022, Hedman was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth consecutive season and sixth time in his career altogether after finishing the2021–22 season with career highs in goals (20), assists (65) and points (85) along with a team-high +26 rating. His 65 assists was the most on the team. He played in all 82 games for the first time in his career.[95] The Norris Trophy would eventually go toCale Makar of theColorado Avalanche. After defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, Presidents' Trophy-winning Florida Panthers and New York Rangers in the first three rounds of the2022 playoffs, Hedman and the Lightning would clinch a third consecutive appearance in theStanley Cup Finals (fourth altogether for Hedman's tenure and career) in which the Lightning would fall in six games to the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche.[96]
On 11 February 2023, Hedman recorded his 500th assist on a goal byAnthony Cirelli in a 3–1 victory over the Dallas Stars to become the 33rd defenceman in NHL history to hit the mark.[97] Hedman finished the2022–23 season with nine goals, 40 assists and 49 points in 76 contests played. In the2023 playoffs, Hedman and the Lightning would face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round for the second straight year, where this time they would lose in six games. In the series, Hedman was held goalless and recorded three assists and points in five contexts played.
Hedman played his1,000th NHL game in a 4–0 Lightning win against the Dallas Stars on 4 December 2023.[98] Hedman would finish the2023–24 season playing in 78 games with 13 goals, 63 assists and 76 points followed by a goal and six assists for seven points in all five games of the2024 playoffs in the Lightning's first round exit in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
On 2 July 2024, Hedman signed a four-year, $32 million contract extension with the Lightning, taking him until the 2028–29 season with $8 million per year.[99] On 18 September, the Lightning named Hedman as captain, becoming the 11th captain in team history after the previous captain,Steven Stamkos, signed with theNashville Predators in free agency earlier in the 2024 off-season.[100][101] On 30 November, Hedman recorded two assists on goals byBrandon Hagel andCam Atkinson in a 5–3 loss against theToronto Maple Leafs to reach 590 career NHL assists, passingMartin St. Louis for franchise leader in assists.[102] On 28 December, Hedman played in his 1,083rd game in a 6–2 win over theNew York Rangers, passing Steven Stamkos for most games played in Lightning history.[103] On 16 January 2025, Hedman recorded his 600th career assist on a goal byAnthony Cirelli in a 4–3 SO win over theAnaheim Ducks, becoming the first player in Lightning history to reach the mark.[104] Hedman finished the2024–25 season with 15 goals and 51 assists for 66 points in 79 games played. He also added three assists for three points but was goalless in all five playoff games in the2025 playoffs as the Lightning were defeated in the first round for the third consecutive year and second consecutive year to the Florida Panthers. It was revealed that Hedman played Game 5 through a broken foot initially suffered in Game 4.[105]
Hedman played forSweden at the2008 World Junior Championships, where he helped the team to asilver medal, losing toCanada 3–2 in the final, and was selected to the tournament All-Star Team. He later became one of the youngest players to play forSweden's men's team when he made his debut at age 17 in an exhibition game againstNorway.[106] Hedman would once again play for Sweden's junior team at the2009 World Junior Championships inOttawa, where he met Canada for the second consecutive year in the gold-medal game, earning another silver medal in a 5–1 loss.
On 2 March 2016, theSwedish Ice Hockey Association named Hedman to its roster for the2016 World Cup of Hockey. Hedman was joined by Lightning teammateAnton Strålman. The tournament ran from 17 September to 1 October 2016 inToronto.[107]
On 15 April 2017, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association named Hedman to its roster for the2017 IIHF World Championship.[108] On 28 April, Hedman was named as an assistant captain for the tournament.[109] On 21 May, Hedman helped team Sweden capture gold in a 2–1 victory overCanada.[110]
Hedman has two older brothers –Oscar Hedman, who was also a professional hockey player that played forModo Hockey; as well as Johan Hedman, who does not play professionally.
As a child, Hedman originally started out playing as a goaltender. He also played hockey on the streets together with his friends, among them, famous iRacing driver Fredrik Sellgren. His father, Olle Hedman, told his son that if he left the net, he would purchase him the new helmet that he coveted. He has not played in goal since that day. Victor said, "I'm thankful for that now. You never know what would have happened otherwise."[111]
Hedman's other passions were flying (he has logged eight hours on aPiper PA-32) andfootball. His father said that his son would just outrun everyone on the field. Hedman still plays soccer in the summer and religiously follows the sport. He supportsPremier League sideManchester United.[112] In an article, it was revealed that when quizzed on any player on any Premier League team, he could not be stumped. His dad said that his son "probably knows more about football than hockey". However, "Hedman knew that hockey would be his future, encouraged by some of the game's greats. They'd come back every summer to play for a team called the Icebreakers, inviting Hedman to play." Some notable players on the team includedPeter Forsberg,Markus Näslund,Henrik Zetterberg andNicklas Bäckström. Hedman said that "looking back at it now, it was an unbelievable experience".[111]
In 2014, Hedman started a hockey school in his hometown. The spots in the school sold out in two hours. Hedman said that "to see the thrill in the kids' eyes, it's worth it all".[111]
Hedman is fromÖrnsköldsvik and trains withDaniel andHenrik Sedin in the off-season.[113]
In a 2016 interview withThe Hockey News, Hedman revealed that he wears jersey number 77 as a homage toRay Bourque, whom he idolized as a child. In his childhood, Hedman would regularly watch theColorado Avalanche, whom Hedman was drawn to because of Swedish hockey legendPeter Forsberg. Hedman had originally worn the jersey number 41 in Sweden, but when he was drafted by the Lightning, that number was already worn byMike Smith.[114]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2005–06 | Modo Hockey | J20 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Modo Hockey | J20 | 34 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 44 | ||
| 2007–08 | Modo Hockey | J20 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | Modo Hockey | SHL | 39 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2008–09 | Modo Hockey | J20 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Modo Hockey | SHL | 43 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 74 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 79 | 3 | 23 | 26 | 70 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 2011–12 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 61 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 65 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Barys Astana | KHL | 26 | 1 | 20 | 21 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 44 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 75 | 13 | 42 | 55 | 53 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 59 | 10 | 28 | 38 | 40 | 26 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 6 | ||
| 2015–16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 78 | 10 | 37 | 47 | 46 | 17 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 14 | ||
| 2016–17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 79 | 16 | 56 | 72 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 77 | 17 | 46 | 63 | 54 | 17 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 10 | ||
| 2018–19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 70 | 12 | 42 | 54 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2019–20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 66 | 11 | 44 | 55 | 31 | 25 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 24 | ||
| 2020–21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 54 | 9 | 36 | 45 | 28 | 23 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 8 | ||
| 2021–22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 82 | 20 | 65 | 85 | 36 | 23 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 10 | ||
| 2022–23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 76 | 9 | 40 | 49 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 78 | 13 | 63 | 76 | 76 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 79 | 15 | 51 | 66 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 1,131 | 171 | 623 | 794 | 772 | 170 | 23 | 97 | 120 | 94 | ||||
| KHL totals | 26 | 1 | 20 | 21 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| SHL totals | 82 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 96 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sweden | U18 |  | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |
| 2008 | Sweden | U18 | 4th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | |
| 2008 | Sweden | WJC |  | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2009 | Sweden | WJC | | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2010 | Sweden | WC | | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2012 | Sweden | WC | 6th | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 | |
| 2016 | Sweden | WCH | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017 | Sweden | WC |  | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2024 | Sweden | WC | | 10 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2025 | Sweden | 4NF | 3rd | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 22 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 30 | ||||
| Senior totals | 44 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 30 | ||||
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| SHL | ||
| Elitserien Rookie of the Year | 2009 | |
| Årets Junior - Junior Player of the Year | 2009 | |
| KHL | ||
| KHL All-Star Game | 2013 (did not play) | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Star Game | 2017,2018,2020,2022 | [44][62][115] |
| NHL Second All-Star Team | 2017,2019,2020,2021,2022,2025 | |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy | 2018 | |
| NHL First All-Star Team | 2018 | |
| Stanley Cup champion | 2020,2021 | [116] |
| Conn Smythe Trophy | 2020 | [117] |
| International | ||
| IIHF World U18 Championship All-Star Team | 2007,2008 | |
| IIHF World U18 Championship Top 3 Player on Team | 2007 | |
| IIHF World Junior Championship All-Star Team | 2008 | [118] |
| IIHF World Championship Top 3 Player on Team | 2017 | |
| Sweden | ||
| Guldpucken | 2015, 2021 | [note 1] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick 2009 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | James Norris Memorial Trophy winner 2018 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Conn Smythe Trophy winner 2020 | Succeeded by |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by | Tampa Bay Lightning captain 2024–present | Incumbent |
