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Tampa Bay Lightning skipper Victor Hedman’s absence successful nan last agelong of nan regular play and during nan first information of nan Stanley Cup Playoffs was to reside his intelligence health, he revealed successful a connection Tuesday.
Hedman, who besides missed a important magnitude of clip this play owed to injury, addressed nan business successful a connection shared by nan team.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman celebrates pinch nan chair aft scoring against nan Buffalo Sabres during nan 3rd play of an NHL crippled successful Tampa, Fla., connected Feb. 28, 2026. (Chris O'Meara/AP)
"I’ve spent astir of my life successful this game, and astir each of my profession pinch this organization. Wearing this jersey – and serving arsenic skipper – is nan top work of my master life," his connection began.
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"That work doesn’t only use connected nan ice. Over nan past mates of months, I made nan determination to measurement distant and attraction connected my mental health. It was not an easy decision, but it was nan correct one.
"I’ve ever believed that being a leader intends doing what’s champion for nan team. In this case, it besides meant doing what was basal to return attraction of myself, truthful I tin beryllium nan champion player, teammate, hubby and begetter I expect to be."
Hedman expanded connected his connection during his exit question and reply pinch nan media connected Tuesday, adding that he feels "way better" and that it was nan "right decision" for him.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman skates connected nan crystal during warmups earlier a crippled against nan Boston Bruins successful nan 2026 Stadium Series astatine Raymond James Stadium successful Tampa, Fla., connected Feb. 1, 2026. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
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"This is thing that exists successful our crippled much than group see. If this infinitesimal helps make it easier for others to return attraction of themselves erstwhile they request to, that matters," he said Tuesday. "I’m proud of this team, and I look guardant to what’s ahead."
Hedman, who spent his full 17-year NHL profession pinch nan Lightning, missed a mostly of nan play pinch an elbow wounded that required room successful December. He returned successful clip for nan Olympic break, wherever he played for Sweden, earlier being sidelined again earlier nan quarterfinal crippled against Team USA.
After playing successful conscionable 33 games this season, Hedman said he was looking guardant to returning adjacent year.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman handles nan puck during nan 2nd play against nan Detroit Red Wings astatine Little Caesars Arena successful Detroit, Mich., connected Oct. 17, 2025. (Brian Bradshaw Sevald/Imagn Images)
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Tampa Bay was eliminated from nan playoffs aft suffering a 2-1 nonaccomplishment to nan Montreal Canadiens successful Game 7 connected Sunday. The nonaccomplishment marked nan organization's 4th consecutive first-round exit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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