Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman Takes Temporary Leave for Personal Reasons Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman has taken a temporary leave of absence from the team for personal reasons, according to an announcement made by the organization on Wednesday. The team provided no additional details about the nature of his absence and emphasized the importance of respecting Hedman’s privacy during this time. Hedman, a 35-year-old Swedish defenseman, has spent his entire 17-year NHL career with the Lightning. His tenure with the team has been marked by significant achievements, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. He also reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 and 2022, adding to his legacy as one of the franchise’s most decorated players. In the 2020 playoffs, Hedman was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player after leading the Lightning to victory in the bubble format of the NHL playoffs. The leave of absence comes after Hedman missed several weeks of action earlier in the season due to injury. He sustained an elbow injury in November, which required surgical repair in December and January. Following his recovery, Hedman returned to the ice in early February and promptly represented Sweden at the Milan Cortina Olympics. During the tournament, he contributed a goal and 16 assists, showcasing his continued impact on the international stage. As of the latest update, Hedman is averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game over 33 contests this season. His performance has been instrumental in the Lightning’s pursuit of a playoff berth, with the team positioned as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.#tampa_bay_lightning #stanley_cup #victor_hedman #milan_cortina_olympics #conn_smythe_trophy
