Lightning’s Victor Hedman reveals he took time away from game for mental health reasons

Victor Hedman announced in a statement released by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday that he took time away from the ice during the 2025-26 season to take care of his mental health.

“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman wrote. “It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.

“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team,” he continued. “In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.

“I’ve been fortunate to have strong support from my family, my teammates and the organization, my therapist and I’m in a much better place today,” he added. “This is something that exists in our game more than people see. If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”

Hedman played in 33 games in 2025-26, recording one goal and adding 16 assists for 17 points. He did not play during in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Lightning were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round in seven games.

Through 17 NHL seasons, the 35-year-old native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, has 172 goals and 639 assists for 811 points in 1,164 career NHL games.

Hedman also has 23 goals and 97 assists for 120 points in 170 career playoff games. He led the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and 2022.

He won the Norris Trophy for the league’s top defender in 2018 and the Conn Smythe Trophy for Playoff MVP in 2020.