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 Hedman is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenseman and is the captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Lightning picked him second overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and he started playing in the NHL that same year.

Many people think Hedman is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He was nominated for the James Norris Memorial Trophy (given to the best defenseman) six times, winning it in 2018. Hedman helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020, which is given to the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Victor Hedman's Hockey Journey

Starting in Sweden: Modo Hockey

Hedman with Modo Hockey in September 2008

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

Before the 2009 NHL Draft, experts ranked him as the top European player. The Tampa Bay Lightning chose him second overall in the draft. Some people compared Hedman to famous defenseman Chris Pronger because of their similar size and playing style.

Joining the NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning (2009–Present)

Early Years in Tampa (2009–2013)

Hedman played his first NHL game for the Lightning on October 3, 2009. He got his first point, an assist, in that game. On December 5, he scored his first NHL goal. In his first season (2009–10), Hedman played 74 games, scoring 4 goals and 16 assists for 20 points.

In the 2010–11 season, Hedman played 79 games, getting 3 goals and 23 assists. He helped the Lightning reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They had a great playoff run, beating the Penguins and Capitals. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the Boston Bruins in a close seven-game series.

In November 2011, Hedman signed a five-year contract extension with Tampa Bay. He played 61 games in the 2011–12 season, scoring 5 goals and 18 assists. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Hedman played for Barys Astana in the KHL. When the NHL season started again, he returned to the Lightning.

Becoming a Star Defenseman (2013–2019)

Hedman with the Lightning in May 2011

The 2013–14 season was a big one for Hedman. He set new personal bests with 13 goals, 42 assists, and 55 points in 75 games. His 42 assists were the most on the team. The Lightning made the playoffs, and Hedman scored his first playoff goal.

In the 2014–15 season, Hedman continued to play well. He had 10 goals and 28 assists in 59 games. During the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hedman set a new record for the most points by a Lightning defenseman in a single playoff year. He also became the Lightning's all-time leader in playoff assists and points for a defenseman. The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

On July 1, 2016, the Lightning signed Hedman to a long eight-year contract. He continued to break team records. In the 2016–17 season, he became the first Lightning defenseman to get 50 assists in one season. He also set a new record for most points by a defenseman in a single season with 72 points (16 goals, 56 assists). Hedman was nominated for the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time.

In the 2017–18 season, Hedman played his 553rd NHL game, becoming fifth all-time in games played for the Lightning. He also became the Lightning's all-time leader in goals by a defenseman. Hedman had a fantastic season with 17 goals and 46 assists for 63 points. The Lightning finished as the top team in the Eastern Conference. In the 2018 playoffs, they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the Washington Capitals. After the season, Hedman won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman. He was the first Lightning defenseman to win this award.

Before the 2018–19 season, Hedman was named an alternate captain. He continued to set records, becoming the Lightning's all-time leader in games played by a defenseman. He also reached 400 career NHL points. The Lightning had an amazing regular season, winning the Presidents' Trophy with 62 wins. However, they were surprisingly swept in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. Hedman was a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the third year in a row.

Winning the Stanley Cup (2019–2024)

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

In the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hedman played incredibly well. He scored 10 goals, which was the third-most by a defenseman in playoff history. The Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, winning their second Stanley Cup. Hedman was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.

On March 16, 2021, Hedman recorded his 500th career point. A month later, he got his 400th NHL assist, becoming the first defenseman in Lightning history to do so. The 2020–21 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hedman still had 45 points in 55 games. He was a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth year in a row. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup again in 2021, beating the Montreal Canadiens. It was later revealed that Hedman played the last part of the season and all of the playoffs with a torn meniscus, a knee injury.

In the 2021–22 season, Hedman played all 82 games for the first time in his career. He set new personal bests with 20 goals, 65 assists, and 85 points. He was a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth straight season. The Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third year in a row but lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

On February 11, 2023, Hedman recorded his 500th assist, becoming only the 33rd defenseman in NHL history to reach that mark. He finished the 2022–23 season with 49 points in 76 games. In the 2023 playoffs, the Lightning lost in the first round.

Hedman played his 1,000th NHL game on December 4, 2023. He finished the 2023–24 season with 76 points in 78 games. The Lightning lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.

Recent Years and Captaincy (2024–Present)

On July 2, 2024, Hedman signed a new four-year contract with the Lightning. On September 18, 2024, the Lightning named Hedman their new captain. He became the 11th captain in team history.

On November 30, 2024, Hedman reached 590 career NHL assists, passing Martin St. Louis to become the Lightning's all-time leader in assists. On December 28, 2024, Hedman played his 1,083rd game, passing Steven Stamkos for the most games played in Lightning history. On January 16, 2025, he recorded his 600th career assist, becoming the first player in Lightning history to reach that milestone. Hedman finished the 2024–25 season with 66 points in 79 games. The Lightning lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

Playing for Sweden

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 junior team win silver medals at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships. He also played for Sweden's men's team at a young age.

In 2016, Hedman was chosen to play for Sweden in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In 2017, he was an assistant captain for Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. He helped his team win the gold medal in a 2–1 victory over Canada.

Victor Hedman's Life Off the Ice

Hedman has two older brothers. One of them, Oscar Hedman, also played professional hockey.

When Victor was a child, he actually started out as a goaltender (a goalie). His father told him that if he stopped playing goalie, he would buy him a new helmet. Victor agreed and has not played goalie since! He says he is thankful for that decision now.

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

In 2014, Hedman started a hockey school in his hometown. All the spots in the school sold out in just two hours! He said it was amazing to see how excited the kids were.

Hedman trains with famous hockey players Daniel and Henrik Sedin in his hometown of Örnsköldsvik during the off-season. He wears jersey number 77 because he admired Ray Bourque when he was growing up. As a child, Hedman loved watching the Colorado Avalanche because of Swedish hockey legend Peter Forsberg.

Awards and Honours