Hedman Opens Up About Absence, Mental Health Challenges

Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman speaks to the media on Tuesday regarding his decision to take a mid-season leave of absence due to mental health challenges. Photo Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

By Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman spoke to the media Tuesday morning, saying he stepped away from the team and sport he loves to focus on his mental health. Already an advocate of mental health awareness, the 35-year-old defenseman called the decision difficult but necessary.

Hedman also released a statement through the team on Tuesday morning.

"I've spent most of my life in this game, and nearly all of my career with this organization," Hedman said in the statement. "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," Hedman said. "It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one."

The defenseman hasn't played for the Lightning since he left the ice during the first period of a 6-2 win in Vancouver on March 19th.

“Obviously, after that first period in Vancouver, that was the final straw,” said Hedman. “So, it’s something that’s been going on for a long time. I went through ways to get around it, but I wasn’t able to do that. So that’s where the decision came that I needed to take some time.”

On March 25, the team announced Hedman would be taking a leave of absence and asked for privacy for the captain and his family. He was placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) in April.

He was reactivated from LTIR on May 5th following the Lightning's series loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Hedman ended the season with a goal and 16 assists in 33 games.

Hedman was plagued by injuries this season, starting with a hip injury that kept him out of action for 12 games. Returning on December 6th, he played three games before being placed on injured reserve on December 11th.

A few days later, the team announced that he would undergo elbow surgery, keeping him out through January.

He rejoined the team and played the final three games before the Olympic break, then joined Team Sweden and sat out the quarterfinal loss to the United States.

Hedman played 12 games after the Olympic break with the Lightning before taking leave after the Vancouver game.

The 17-year veteran said his struggles on the ice this season contributed to his mental health issues. He credits former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark for their support.

Ullmark went through his own personal issues this season as well, and took leave utilizing the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. He has said that Hedman was a friend who helped him.

"He (Hedman) really helped me sort out things and things that I was going through and that I'm still going through," Ullmark said in January. "So I've got huge love. My respect for him went even further up."

“It’s something that’s been going on for a long time," Hedman said. "I went through ways to get around it, but I wasn’t able to do that.”

"We're all human," Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'amour said when asked his thoughts on Hedman. "We're all coming around to (mental health awareness) as a league. That's something that we have to take a lot of care in and understanding."

“It was obviously a very difficult season for him," said Lightning General Manager Julian BriseBois. "I’m very proud of how he handled it all. As always, he put the team first, he put his family, he put everyone else first and came in second. The courage he showed in being open today and addressing, not just today, but even when he left the team, it took a lot of courage to do that. That was the right thing to do for him, for us, for his family.”

“I’m really proud of him and the work he’s done. I’m glad he’s much better. I’m glad he’s in a good spot, and I’m glad he’s going to be on our team next year, and I expect him to have a good season.”

Hedman hopes coming forward and sharing his struggles will help others feel supported. His therapist of four years has no real knowledge of hockey and treats him as a person.

“She’s learning, you know, that’s kind of nice,” said Hedman, “She’s not focused on me as a hockey player, she’s focused on me as a person, so it’s been great. She’s been a tremendous help. She’s one of the big reasons I’m standing here today.”