Victor Hedman reveals mental health struggle that kept him out of action with Tampa Bay Lightning
Hedman released a statement after the end of Tampa's season.
Victor Hedman reveals mental health struggle that kept him out of action with Tampa Bay Lightning originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Standout defenseman Victor Hedman didn't play for more than a month at the end of the Tampa Bay Lightning 's season.
He revealed in a statement on Tuesday that mental health struggles played a part in his absence. "I’ve spent most of my life in this game, and nearly all of my career with this organization," Hedman's statement began. "Wearing this jersey — and serving as captain — is the greatest responsibility of my professional life.
That responsibility doesn’t only apply on the ice. Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.
" MORE: Sabres' storybook season is real, and Stanley Cup dreams are valid Hedman last played for the Lightning this season on March 19. He had also represented Sweden at the Olympics, although he was unexpectedly absent later in the tournament for the Swedish team. The 35-year old defenseman has played 1,164 NHL games, all for the Lightning, and has 172 goals and 639 assists for 811 points.