Victor Hedman, captain of the Lightning, announced on Tuesday that he will be stepping away from the team to focus on his mental health.
The 35-year-old defenseman last took the ice on March 19. He didn’t play during the Lightning’s disappointing first-round loss to the Canadiens, but has since returned to practice with the team.
In a statement, Hedman expressed, “I’ve dedicated most of my life to this sport and nearly my entire career to this team. Being captain of this franchise is the biggest responsibility I’ve had in my professional life.”
“That responsibility doesn’t just exist on the ice. Recently, I made the tough choice to step back and prioritize my mental health. It was not an easy decision, but I believe it was the right one.”
“As a leader, I feel it’s crucial to do what’s best for the team. In this situation, it meant taking care of myself so I can be a better player, teammate, husband, and father.”
Hedman, who represented Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has been among the NHL’s elite for the last 13 years, with accolades including two Stanley Cups and the 2020 Conn Smythe trophy, along with the 2018 Norris Trophy.
Throughout his 17-year career, he has played exclusively for Tampa Bay, accumulating 811 points over 1,164 regular-season games and 120 points in 170 playoff games.
“I’ve been fortunate to have strong support from my family, teammates, organization, and therapist. I’m in a much better place now,” he stated.
Hedman noted, “Issues like this are more common in our sport than people realize. If sharing my experience can encourage others to seek help when they need it, then that matters a lot.”
Hedman became the Lightning’s captain in 2024, taking over after long-time star Steven Stamkos departed to join the Predators. He concluded the 2025-26 season with one goal and 16 assists across 33 games.
He dealt with elbow surgery in December and January, returned just in time for the Olympics, but then missed the last 15 games of the regular season.
Hedman’s contract still has three years remaining, with an annual cap hit of $8 million.
