TAMPA, Fla. – The father’s words spoke glowingly about his son’s accomplishments as a person and a player.
In part: “You have no ego. You think of yourself last. You’re kind. Nobody has a bad word to say about you. You’re a good man. And you’ve made everyone around you so proud.”
The letter was written by Olle Hedman and published on the Lightning’s website ahead of Monday night’s game at Amalie Arena against Dallas. In a pregame ceremony, Victor Hedman was honored for his 1,000th game in the NHL. The defenseman has played every game in a Lightning uniform.
“It means a lot to have done it with the same team and the same organization, the ups and downs,” said Hedman, the second pick in the 2009 draft, Monday morning. “It goes to show that you have done something well and stayed in this league for a long time. To do it with the same team means the world for me.”
Read: Mike Evans Record-Setting Performance Leads Bucs To Win Over Panthers
Hedman is the 17th Swedish-born player to reach the milestone, a list that is topped by Mats Sundin’s 1,564 games.
Steven Stamkos has been with Hedman the entire way. The Lightning captain was the first-overall pick in 2008 and played in his 1,000th game last season.
“We have grown together and been together almost half our lives,” said the 32-year-old Hedman, who joined Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier in playing 1,000 games with the Lightning. “We have grown from boys to men together. We appreciate each other, what we have done for this team and what the team has done for us.”
What Hedman has done is become the team’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen and fifth overall, win a Norris Trophy (2017-18) as the league’s best defenseman, a Conn Smythe Trophy (2019-20) given to the playoff MVP and have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup twice.
“Such great memories from each and every year and the friends that I made,” he said.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps