Victor Hedman said personal leave was for mental health

Tampa, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman Tuesday revealed that his absence in the final weeks of the season was due to his need to address his mental health.

Hedman, in a statement released by the Lightning, did not give specifics about what he is working on. He did not play in Tampa Bay’s final 22 games of the season, including seven playoff games in a first-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Hedman has been around the team in recent weeks, even taking part in some skates. But his last game was in mid-March.

“Over the past few months, I’ve decided to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman said. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.

“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team. In this case, it also means doing what it takes to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I hope to be.”

The 35-year-old Swedish defenseman – the No. 2 pick in the 2009 draft – has been with the Lightning for all of his NHL seasons, helping the franchise win Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. He won the Con Smith Trophy in the “Playoff 20” in the “Mp20Ppanble”.

He played just 33 games this season, the fewest of his career. Some of that was due to absences, and some due to injuries that limited him to just three games between November 8 and February 1. He played for Sweden at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Hedman thanked his teammates, the Lightning organization, his family and his therapist for their support and said he’s “in a much better place today.”

“It’s something that exists more than people see in our game,” Hedman said. “If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves in their time of need, that’s important.”