Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Victor Hedman

How Victor Hedman built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Victor Hedman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman and captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL. Drafted second overall by Tampa Bay in 2009, he debuted in the NHL the same year. A cornerstone of the Lightning's defense, Hedman is known for his size, skating ability, and two-way play.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: Joined Modo Hockey organization

In 2006, Victor Hedman began his junior ice hockey career in the Swedish J20 SuperElit with the Modo Hockey organization.

2008: World Junior Championships

In 2008, Victor Hedman played for Sweden at the World Junior Championships, where he helped the team to a silver medal, losing to Canada 3–2 in the final. He was also selected to the tournament All-Star Team.

June 2009: Drafted by Spartak Moscow

On June 1, 2009, Victor Hedman was drafted 83rd overall by Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

October 2009: NHL Debut and First Point

On October 3, 2009, Victor Hedman made his NHL debut for the Lightning against the Atlanta Thrashers and registered his first point, an assist, on a Martin St. Louis goal.

2009: World Junior Championships

In 2009, Victor Hedman played for Sweden's junior team at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, where he met Canada for the second consecutive year in the gold-medal game, earning another silver medal in a 5–1 loss.

2009: Drafted by Tampa Bay Lightning

In 2009, Victor Hedman was drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL entry draft.

2009: NHL Debut

In 2009, Victor Hedman was selected second overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut that year.

April 2011: Stanley Cup Playoff Debut

On April 13, 2011, Victor Hedman made his Stanley Cup playoff debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and recorded his first career playoff assist and point on April 15 in Game 2.

November 2011: Contract Extension with Tampa Bay

On November 29, 2011, Victor Hedman signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with Tampa Bay.

September 2012: Signed with Barys Astana

On September 25, 2012, Victor Hedman signed a contract with Barys Astana of the KHL during the 2012-13 NHL lockout.

January 2013: Returned to NHL

In January 2013, Victor Hedman returned to the NHL after lockout ended.

April 2014: First Career Playoff Goal

On April 22, 2014, Victor Hedman scored his first career playoff goal on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price in Game 4 of the opening round of the 2014 playoffs.

2014: Started Hockey School

In 2014, Victor Hedman started a hockey school in his hometown, with spots selling out in two hours. Hedman expressed his joy in seeing the thrill in the kids' eyes.

June 2015: Stanley Cup Finals

On June 6, 2015, after Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks, Victor Hedman had recorded two points with two assists to secure the spot as the point leader by a Lightning defencemen in a single playoff year and on June 8, during Game 3 of the Finals, Hedman recorded assists to set the Lightning franchise record for most career playoff assists and points by a defenceman.

March 2016: Named to World Cup of Hockey Roster

On March 2, 2016, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association named Victor Hedman to its roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He was joined by Lightning teammate Anton Strålman.

May 2016: Playoff Assists Record

On May 20, 2016, Victor Hedman recorded two assists in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, moving past Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards for number two all-time in playoff assists with the franchise and on May 24, Hedman played his 64th career playoff game to become the leader in playoff games played for the Lightning.

July 2016: Re-signed to contract extension

On July 1, 2016, Victor Hedman re-signed with the Lightning for an eight-year contract extension worth $7.875 million per season.

October 2016: 2016 World Cup of Hockey

In October 2016, Victor Hedman participated in the World Cup of Hockey, which ran from September 17 to October 1, 2016, in Toronto.

January 2017: Named to NHL All-Star Game

In January 2017, specifically on the 10th, Victor Hedman was named to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game as a member of the Atlantic Division team.

April 2017: Named to IIHF World Championship Roster

In April 2017, on April 15th, Victor Hedman was named to the Swedish Ice Hockey Association's roster for the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

October 2017: Milestone NHL Game and Goal

On October 12, 2017, Victor Hedman played his 553rd NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, surpassing Brad Richards for fifth-most games played in Lightning history. That same night, he scored his 66th career NHL goal, tying Dan Boyle for second-most goals by a Lightning defenseman.

January 2018: Named to NHL All-Star Game

In January 2018, on the 10th, Victor Hedman was named to the 2018 NHL All-Star Game, marking his second selection and making him the only defenseman in Lightning history to be named to multiple All-Star Games. Due to a knee injury suffered on January 11, he was replaced by teammate Brayden Point, but still participated as an assistant equipment manager.

December 2018: Recorded 300th career NHL assist

On December 29, 2018, Victor Hedman achieved his 300th career NHL assist on a goal by Nikita Kucherov against the Montreal Canadiens, marking a significant milestone in his career.

January 2019: Most Games Played by a Lightning Defenseman

On January 10, 2019, Victor Hedman played his 663rd game in a Lightning uniform, surpassing Pavel Kubina for the most games played by a defenseman in franchise history.

December 2019: Scored 100th Career NHL Goal

On December 5, 2019, Victor Hedman achieved a career milestone by scoring his 100th NHL goal in a game against the Minnesota Wild. He became the first defenseman in Lightning history to reach this mark.

August 2020: Playoff success and point records

Throughout August 2020, during the 2020 playoffs, Victor Hedman achieved multiple milestones. On August 23, he scored two goals against the Boston Bruins, surpassing Vincent Lecavalier for fifth-most points in Lightning playoff history. On August 25, he recorded an assist, moving past Steven Stamkos for fourth-most playoff points in Lightning history, and past Erik Karlsson and Calle Johansson for fourth-most playoff assists among Swedish defensemen. On August 31, he scored the series-clinching goal against the Bruins, setting a franchise record for most goals by a defenseman in a single playoff series.

2020: 2020-21 Season

In the 2020-21 season, which was shortened to 56 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Victor Hedman recorded nine goals and 36 assists for 46 points in 55 games. He was also named a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth-straight season. Hedman and the Lightning repeated as Stanley Cup champions.

March 2021: 500th point and torn meniscus

In March 2021, on March 16th, Victor Hedman recorded his 500th point in a 4–3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars. Later in March, on March 30th, he sustained a torn meniscus in a 3–1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which he played with for several weeks of the season and the entire playoffs.

2021: 2021-22 Season

In the 2021-22 season, Victor Hedman finished with career highs in goals (20), assists (65) and points (85) along with a team-high +26 rating. He played in all 82 games for the first time in his career.

May 2022: Norris Trophy Finalist

In May 2022, specifically on May 9th, Victor Hedman was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth consecutive season after finishing the 2021–22 season with career highs in goals (20), assists (65) and points (85). The Norris Trophy would eventually go to Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.

2022: 2022-23 NHL Season

In the 2022-23 NHL Season, Victor Hedman finished the season with nine goals, 40 assists and 49 points in 76 contests played.

February 2023: 500th Career Assist

On February 11, 2023, Victor Hedman recorded his 500th assist on a goal by Anthony Cirelli in a 3–1 victory over the Dallas Stars, becoming the 33rd defenseman in NHL history to hit the mark.

December 2023: 1,000th NHL Game

On December 4, 2023, Victor Hedman played his 1,000th NHL game in a 4–0 Lightning win against the Dallas Stars.

July 2024: Contract Extension

On July 2, 2024, Victor Hedman signed a four-year, $32 million contract extension with the Lightning, taking him until the 2028–29 season with $8 million per year.

2024: 2023-24 Season

In the 2023-24 season, Victor Hedman finished playing in 78 games with 13 goals, 63 assists and 76 points. He also had a goal and six assists for seven points in all five games of the 2024 playoffs.

January 2025: 600th Career Assist

On January 16, 2025, Victor Hedman recorded his 600th career assist on a goal by Anthony Cirelli in a 4–3 SO win over the Anaheim Ducks, becoming the first player in Lightning history to reach the mark.

2028: Contract End

Victor Hedman's four-year, $32 million contract extension with the Lightning, signed in July 2024, extends his time with the team until the 2028–29 season with $8 million per year.