Mental health is often discussed in sports in whispers, if at all.
On Tuesday, Victor Hedman made it part of the conversation.
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s captain revealed Tuesday that his absence in the final weeks of the season was caused by a need to address his mental health.
“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman said in a statement released by the team. "It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.”
Hedman, 35, didn't play in Tampa Bay's final 22 games of the season, including the best-of-seven playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.
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His last appearance was on March 19 at Vancouver, when he left after the first period because of “illness.” Six days later, the Lightning announced he was taking leave for personal reasons.
There wasn’t a particular episode that led to the decision but rather a “combination of a lot of things,” he said during season-ending interviews shortly after his statement came out.
"Obviously, after that first period in Vancouver, that was the final straw," said Hedman, who added he has been in therapy for four years. "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.”
When he stepped away, the veteran defenseman had only 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) and was limited to 33 games – a career low – due to injuries.
“I said for my sake and the team's sake, it's better for me now to step away and focus on myself,” he said.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 5, 2026
He told reporters that he leaned on best friend and former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, as well as Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark, who also spent time away from the Senators to address his mental health. He learned these issues are more common in hockey than fans and others may know.
“If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters,” Hedman said.
He hopes going public will help others by letting them know there are “a lot of people” who can assist with mental health concerns, but sometimes one must ask for it.
“The mental part is just as important, if not more important than the physical part,” he said. “This game has given me everything, but it takes a toll on you as well. So, don't sit around with your thoughts by yourself, just reach out and get the help you need.”
He credited his counselor for helping him get through this difficult period.
“My therapist has no clue what hockey is,” he said. “She's learning, but that's kind of nice, too. … She's not focused on me as a hockey player. She's focused on me as a person. So, it's been great and she's been a tremendous help and she's one of the big reasons that I’m standing here today and feeling the way I feel. So, yeah, it's been great.”
Hedman missed significant time earlier in the season with an elbow injury that required surgery in December. He was back for the outdoor Stadium Series game on Feb. 1 and the final two games before the Olympics, where he played for Sweden until tweaking something before the quarterfinal against the U.S.
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He added “now I feel fresh” after a season that was “physically and mentally draining.”
“I’m ready to get back to work throughout the summer and be even more prepared next year,” he said.
Hedman had been around the team during the playoffs, even taking part in some skates. There was discussion about him dressing during the Canadiens series, but he never did. Had the Lightning advanced, Hedman likely could have played in the second round.
“I was there – obviously, tough timing,” Hedman said. “Only had one full practice with the team. But yeah, I was there mentally and physically.”
Hedman – the No. 2 pick in the 2009 draft – has been with the Lightning for all 17 of his NHL seasons, helping the franchise win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in the 2020 pandemic “bubble.”
“I'm really proud of him and the work he's done,” Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois said. “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."
Teammate Ryan McDonagh, one of Hedman’s closest friends, said the captain’s absence wasn’t felt only during games.
"What he means to us – not even on the ice, but off the ice – the person that he is, the kind of human that he is. I just want to try to be there to support him because he's done that his whole life for us in different fashion and sacrificed so much for this city, this team and this organization,” McDonagh said.
“He seems like he's his old self again and feeling better about himself, that's all we can ask for."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
