TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Victor Hedman as the team’s captain as training camp began, making the big defenseman the successor to Steven Stamkos.
Hedman, who is entering his 16th season with Tampa Bay, was seen as the obvious choice to get the “C” after the Lightning did not re-sign Stamkos and their longtime captain left to join Nashville.
“Victor is a cornerstone player who is highly respected by his teammates, coaches and peers throughout the NHL,” said General Manager Julien BriseBois. “Over the past 15 seasons, he has been a world-class representative for our organization both on and off the ice. Victor embodies what it means to be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and is more than ready for this exciting opportunity. We look forward to watching him thrive in his new role as we continue to work toward our goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”
The 33-year-old Swede was a key contributor to the Lightning winning back-to-back Cups in 2020 and ’21, including playoff MVP honors in the first of those championship runs. Hedman also took home the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman in 2018 and finished in the top three in voting in five other seasons.
Ryan McDonagh, who was brought back in an early offseason trade with the Predators, and MVP finalist Nikita Kucherov will serve as alternate captains for the Lightning entering the post-Stamkos era.
