Victor Hedman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Victor Hedman
Hedman with the Tampa Bay Lightning in December 2014
Born	(1990-12-18) 18 December 1990 (age 34) Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Height	6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight	246 lb (112 kg; 17 st 8 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 (born 18 December 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenceman and is the captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Lightning picked Hedman second overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He started playing in the NHL that same year.

Many people think Hedman is one of the best defencemen in the NHL. He has been a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy six times, winning it in 2018. Hedman helped the Lightning win two Stanley Cups in a row in 2020 and 2021. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020 as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Victor Hedman's Hockey Journey

Early Hockey Days

Hedman with Modo Hockey in September 2008

Victor Hedman started his junior hockey career in Sweden with the Modo Hockey team. In his first full season (2006–07), he scored 25 points in 34 games. When he was just 16, Hedman became a professional player for Modo in the Elitserien.

Before the 2008–09 season, experts thought he was the top draft-eligible skater. He was also named the SHL Rookie of the Year. After playing well for Sweden at the 2009 World Junior Championships, NHL scouts ranked him as the best European skater.

In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Hedman was the second player picked overall. The Tampa Bay Lightning chose him, right after John Tavares. Some people compared Hedman to famous defenceman Chris Pronger because of their similar size and draft position.

Becoming a Lightning Legend (2009–Present)

Starting in Tampa (2009–2013)

Hedman played his first NHL game for the Lightning on 3 October 2009. He got his first point, an assist, on a goal by Martin St. Louis. His first NHL goal came on 5 December against the New York Islanders. In his first season (2009–10), he played 74 games and scored 20 points.

Hedman with the Lightning in May 2011

In the 2010–11 season, Hedman helped the Lightning reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007. He made his playoff debut on 13 April 2011. The Lightning had a great playoff run, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. They were just one win away from playing in the Stanley Cup Finals.

In November 2011, Hedman signed a five-year contract extension with Tampa Bay. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he played briefly for Barys Astana in the KHL. He returned to the NHL when the lockout ended in January 2013.

Rising Star and Norris Trophy Win (2013–2019)

The 2013–14 season was a big one for Hedman. He set new personal bests with 13 goals, 42 assists, and 55 points. The Lightning made the playoffs again that year. In the 2014 playoffs, Hedman scored his first career playoff goal.

In the 2014–15 season, Hedman continued to play well. He broke his finger in October 2014 but still had a good season. In the 2015 playoffs, he set a new team record for most points by a defenceman in a single playoff year. He also became the Lightning's all-time leader in playoff assists and points for a defenceman. The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

On 1 July 2016, the Lightning signed Hedman to a big eight-year contract. In the previous season, he led all Lightning defencemen in goals, assists, and points. He also set a career-high with a plus-21 rating, which means he was on the ice for many more goals scored by his team than against them.

Hedman continued to break team records. On 26 October, he scored his 50th NHL goal. On 10 November, he became the Lightning's all-time leader in assists by a defenceman. On 17 December, he became the all-time leader in points by a defenceman for the Lightning. He also reached 200 career NHL assists on 20 December.

On 10 January 2017, Hedman was chosen for the 2017 NHL All-Star Game. He was the first defenceman in Lightning history to be named to multiple All-Star Games. On 27 March, he became the first defenceman in Lightning history to get 50 assists in one season. He finished the 2016–17 season with career-highs of 16 goals, 56 assists, and 72 points.

On 21 April, Hedman was named a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. He finished third in the voting.

On 8 February 2018, Hedman scored a goal that made him the defenceman with the most goals in Lightning history. He finished the 2017–18 season with 17 goals and 46 assists for 63 points. He helped the Lightning finish as the top team in the Eastern Conference.

In the 2018 playoffs, Hedman and the Lightning had another long playoff run. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals but lost in seven games. On 20 June, Hedman won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time. He was the first defenceman in Lightning history to win this award.

Before the 2018–19 season, Hedman was named an alternate captain for the Lightning. On 10 January 2019, he played his 663rd game for the Lightning, becoming the defenceman with the most games played in franchise history. He reached 400 career NHL points on 10 February. The Lightning won the Presidents' Trophy that season as the best regular season team. However, they were surprisingly swept in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. Hedman was a Norris Trophy finalist for the third year in a row.

Stanley Cups and Conn Smythe Trophy (2019–2024)

On 5 December 2019, Hedman scored his 100th career NHL goal. He was the first defenceman in Lightning history to reach 100 regular season goals. He was also chosen for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. Hedman was a Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth straight season.

In the 2020 playoffs, Hedman scored two goals in a game against the Boston Bruins. These goals moved him past Vincent Lecavalier for fifth-most points in Lightning playoff history. He later scored the game-winning goal in double overtime to win the series against the Bruins. This goal was his fifth of the playoffs, setting a new team record for most goals by a defenceman in a single playoff year.

The Lightning went on to defeat the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals to win their second Stanley Cup. Hedman was given the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. His ten goals during the 2020 playoffs were the third-most by a defenceman in league history during a playoff year.

On 16 March 2021, Hedman recorded his 500th point in a game against the Dallas Stars. On 17 April, he got his 400th NHL assist, becoming the first defenceman in Lightning history to reach that mark. Hedman was a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth year in a row. Hedman and the Lightning won the Stanley Cup again in 2021, defeating the Montreal Canadiens. This was their second Stanley Cup in a row!

On 9 May 2022, Hedman was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth time. He had career highs in goals (20), assists (65), and points (85) in the 2021–22 season. He also played in all 82 games for the first time. The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in a row but lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

On 11 February 2023, Hedman recorded his 500th assist. He became only the 33rd defenceman in NHL history to reach this milestone. In the 2023 playoffs, the Lightning lost in the first round.

On 4 December 2023, Hedman played his 1,000th NHL game. He finished the 2023–24 season with 13 goals, 63 assists, and 76 points.

Recent Years and Captaincy (2024–Present)

On 2 July 2024, Hedman signed a new four-year contract with the Lightning. On 18 September, the Lightning named Hedman as their new captain. He became the 11th captain in team history. On 30 November, Hedman reached 590 career NHL assists, passing Martin St. Louis to become the franchise leader in assists. On 28 December, Hedman played his 1,083rd game, passing Steven Stamkos for the most games played in Lightning history. On 16 January 2025, Hedman recorded his 600th career assist, becoming the first player in Lightning history to reach that mark.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2017 Germany/France
Bronze	2010 Germany
Bronze	2024 Czechia
World Cup
Bronze	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Silver	2009 Ottawa
Silver	2008 Pardubice
World U18 Championships
Bronze	2007 Tampere

Hedman has played for Sweden in many international tournaments. He helped the team win a silver medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships. He was also chosen for the tournament's All-Star Team. At age 17, he became one of the youngest players to play for Sweden's men's team. He won another silver medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships.

In 2016, Hedman was named to Sweden's team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In 2017, he helped Team Sweden win a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

Victor Hedman's Life Off the Ice

Victor Hedman has two older brothers. His brother Oscar Hedman also played professional hockey.

When he was a child, Hedman first played as a goaltender (goalie). But his father told him he would buy him a new helmet if he stopped playing goalie. Victor agreed and has not played in goal since! He is thankful for that decision now.

Besides hockey, Hedman also loves flying and soccer. His father said Victor probably knows more about soccer than hockey! Victor supports the Premier League team Manchester United. He still plays soccer in the summer.

When he was young, famous hockey players like Peter Forsberg and Henrik Zetterberg would come back to his hometown to play. They invited Hedman to play with them, which he said was an "unbelievable experience."

In 2014, Hedman started a hockey school in his hometown. All the spots in the school sold out in just two hours! He loves seeing how excited the kids are.

Hedman is from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. In the off-season, he trains with famous hockey brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

Hedman wears jersey number 77 because of his favorite player, Ray Bourque. Bourque played 22 years in the NHL before winning a championship. Hedman wanted to honor him with his jersey number.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International

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
Junior totals					22	2	8	10	30
Senior totals					41	5	11	16	28

Awards and Honours