Lightning Captain Victor Hedman Thanks His Therapist as He Reveals Why He Left Team for 22 Games

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman on Sept. 9, 2024 Credit: Candice Ward/NHLI via Getty NEED TO KNOW Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman revealed why he stepped away from the team for a quarter of the season "It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one," Hedman said in a statement on Tuesday, May 5 Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said he's "very proud" of how Hedman "handled it all" during the difficult period Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman revealed mental health was the reason for his leave of absence from the team. Hedman, 35, missed 22 games at the end of Tampa Bay's season while he was out on personal leave.

On Tuesday, May 5, Hedman said in a statement via the Lightning that he needed to "focus on" his mental health during that time. "I've spent most of my life in this game, and nearly all of my career with this organization. Wearing that jersey — and serving as captain — is the greatest responsibility of my professional life," Hedman began.

"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," he shared.

Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 5, 2026 Credit: Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Hedman, whose season finished on Sunday night after the Lightning dropped their first-round series against the Montreal Canadians, continued, "I've always believed that being a leader means doing what's best for the team. 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. " Hedman said he's "been fortunate to have strong support" from his family, teammates and the Lightning organization, as well as his therapist.