TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Victor Hedman as the team captain Wednesday as training camp opened, making the big defenseman the successor to Steven Stamkos.
Hedman, who is going into his 16th season with Tampa Bay, was the obvious choice after the Lightning did not re-sign Stamkos and their longtime captain left to join Nashville.
“It means the world, obviously,” Hedman said. “For me to lead this team is a great honor. It’s a big privilege and a big responsibility, but I’ve learned from a lot of great leaders, (especially) my good friend ‘Stammer,’ who’s been my captain for the last 10-11 years.
“I’m not going to change the way I am and the way I approach my game. There’s a lot more responsibility wearing that ‘C,’ but to do it for the team that I’ve played with for 15 years means the world to me.”
Hedman 33-year-old from Sweden was a key contributor in the Lightning hoisting the Cup in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and ’21, including playoff MVP honors on the first of those championship runs. Hedman also took home the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 2018 and finished in the top three in voting five other seasons.
General manager Julien BriseBois called Hedman “a cornerstone player.”
“Over the past 15 seasons, he has been a world-class representative for our organization both on and off the ice,” BriseBois said. “Victor embodies what it means to be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and is more than ready for this exciting opportunity.”
Ryan McDonagh, who was reacquired early in the offseason in a trade with the Predators, and MVP finalist Nikita Kucherov will serve as alternate captains with the Lightning moving on to the post-Stamkos era.
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