Courtesy of Mark LoMoglio/Tampa Bay Lightning
The NHL free agency this past summer was a wild ride. Many fans saw long-standing members of their favorite teams leave in a chaotic frenzy. One team that really felt the shock of free agency was the Tampa Bay Lightning. Out of the several foundational players that the Lightning said goodbye to, the biggest hit was losing their captain Steven Stamkos. Stamkos had been the captain of the Lightning for 10 years, and had been with the team since being drafted first overall in 2008. He had quite literally become the face of the franchise. His face appeared on Lightning billboards, banners on the streets of downtown Tampa, and even on the side of Amalie Arena, the home of the Lightning. After Stamkos’ trade was announced, fans soon began to wonder who the next captain and face of the franchise would be. Finally, after nearly three months, the Lightning announced last week that Victor Hedman would be the next Bolt to wear a “C” on his sweater.
Courtesy of Chris O’Meara/AP Photo
If there’s anyone who is deserving to be captain it is Victor Hedman. Hedman, who originally played for Modo Hockey in Sweden, was drafted second overall by the Lightning in 2009. The lanky Swedish kid quickly made himself known as one of the most solid defensemen on the team. He matured in his game alongside Steven Stamkos, where the two grew up together and became known as Tampa’s own dynamic duo.
Though he has been an alternate captain for quite some time, Hedman has proven throughout the years that he is a steady leader who is capable of carrying the team. For instance, the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs was a challenging time for the team. The pandemic had turned the world upside down, so the Playoffs were later than usual. No spectators were allowed and the players weren’t allowed to see their families. On top of that, the Lightning were without Stamkos due to an injury. Despite all the odds they were facing, Hedman moved front and center to show his teammates that they were capable of making history. He played some of the best hockey of his career to help the Lightning bring Lord Stanley back to Tampa for the first time in 16 years. Similarly, in the following year, Hedman played through a meniscus injury to help the Lightning win the Stanley Cup again.
Courtesy of Jason Franson/CP
Hedman’s example has also spoken volumes among his teammates who have had the chance to learn and play alongside him.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5-on-5, Day 2 of training camp scrimmage or a real NHL game in the playoffs. He has the same mentality with everything, and it’s trying to make things happen, make an impact, play at a high level,” fellow defenseman and alternate captain Ryan McDonagh said. “He expects a lot out of himself, expects a lot out of his teammates, but he does it in the right fashion... No matter if they’re a prospect or a player with a big club, he treats you with the same amount of respect no matter who you are, and that breeds a culture that’s inclusive and creates a culture where everybody feels valuable and important, and you can just go out and play with confidence.”
Similarly, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has had nothing but good things to say about the new captain.
“Victor is an all-time great NHL player. If anything, he’s underrated. …He’s a very accomplished player; he’s one of the best players of his generation and one of the best defensemen in the history of this game. You count on your fingers the level of player he is…But that’s not what makes him the right guy to be the captain of this team. What makes him the right person to be the captain of this team is how special a person he is," BriseBois said. "Victor is humble, he is thoughtful, he’s extremely competitive, he’s proud, he’s driven, he’s ambitious and he cares deeply about the success of his franchise, he cares about his teammates and he cares about the Tampa Bay community.”
Courtesy of nhl.com
Though he has been raved about, Hedman has embraced the captaincy with humility. He wants to continue his best friend’s legacy, but also look forward to the future. He knows that it takes a unit rather than a single person to win championships.
“It’s a group effort, and I think that’s what made us so successful in years past,” Hedman said. “It doesn’t always have to be the captain or the alternates to chime in when things are good or when things are bad... So, that’s one big thing that I’ve taken away from ‘Stammer’ [Stamkos] and the way he’s evolved as a leader throughout the years. Experience is the biggest key, and for me, I’m not going to change the way I am and who I am just because of the letter I’m wearing on my jersey.”
Hedman is now Mr. Tampa Bay, and the Lightning is now his team. As the start of the 2024-25 season marks the beginning of a new era for the Lightning, it is certain that the team will weather any storms that come their way under Hedman’s leadership.
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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