Exit Interview | Victor Hedman

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]Good, way way better. So you know obviously the right decision for me and >> [snorts] >> yeah, work my way back and being around the guys and feeling ready to play again. So that's a very good sign.

[00:00:17]What kind of goes into the decision like where do you reach that point where I got to step away?

[00:00:23]Um >> [snorts] >> obviously after the first period in Vancouver was kind of the final you know straw.

[00:00:29][snorts] So you know it's obviously a thing that's been going on for a long time and try and work through it and find ways to get around it but I wasn't able to do that. So you know that's where the decision came that you know needed to take some time and yeah, find myself again.

[00:00:49]Victor, was there we saw you practice during the series pretty much every every game.

[00:00:56]How how close were you in your mind to to potentially rejoining the team getting back on the ice? I was there >> [snorts] >> and obviously tough timing.

[00:01:05]Um you know only had one full practice with the team so but yeah, I was there mentally and physically. So um like I said that's that's a really good sign and super excited about you know next year and get back at it.

[00:01:21]You obviously don't share you're uncomfortable but was there anything in Vancouver that in particular that happened or was it just kind of a build up throughout the season?

[00:01:29]>> No, it was a build up for sure and yeah, Vancouver wasn't like something happened that day or whatnot. So like I said it was a combination of a lot of things and yeah, like I said that was yes, where I said you know for my sake and the team's sake um it's better for me now to you know step away and focus on myself and you know, like I said too with like what the team did and you know the whole season super proud of you know what they accomplished and obviously still sucks what what happened two days ago but um you know the way they played and fought and guys that have stepped up yeah, makes you proud.

[00:02:11]Victor, obviously you're a captain of an NHL team and it takes a very bold person to be able to come out and be very open and honest with what was going on with you. What is your message to whether it's other professional athletes or other people that are dealing with something that maybe they can't always put words to?

[00:02:26]Yeah, it's reach out for help and um you know, it's it's important you know, obviously this game has given me >> [snorts] >> you know a lot in life um but at the end of the day you know there's going to be a life after hockey too and um you know, you just don't sit with your thoughts and you know, there's a lot of people out there that you know can help you and that's what I you know, found out um and um yeah, like I said it's it's never too late either. It's um you know, the mental and part is just as important if not more important than the physical part and um yeah, like I said this game has given me everything but um takes a toll on you as well. So um yeah, just um don't sit around with your thoughts by yourself. Just reach out and yeah, get the help you need. Victor, I think earlier this season when Linus Ullmark was going through what he was going through he had mentioned that you were someone that was very helpful to to him through that.

[00:03:32]Um was there anyone for you around the game teammates who who stood out that was helpful to you? Yeah, I had a bunch of guys um you know, in the beginning it was more >> [snorts] >> you know, with my therapist you know, guys were reaching out and I really didn't have the energy to to to reach back at that point but um yeah, you know tremendous amount of support not just from my teammates but you know, [snorts] around the league as well and yeah, you know, Stamkos has been a big part.

[00:04:04]He's been a good help. So you know, bunch of guys and you know, Linus as [sighs] well of course and um you know, for us we've um obviously known each other a long time and live in the same place in the summertime. So um you know, he's been there for each other and that's all I can say and in that regard but yeah, tremendous support and yeah, now we're um yeah, just looking forward to to what's ahead. Victor, obviously the fans were so excited to see you come back for the Stadium Series and you know, then obviously the rest of the season plays out how they the fans obviously wanted you to come back for the playoffs as well. What what could you just say about the the fans and you know, how much they want to see you come back next year and come back on the ice and just your connection with the fans? Yeah, I mean I've been here for 17 years and you know, the fan base has just been keep growing and you know, that's what makes us you know, want to go out there and compete is to see those guys in the stands and yeah, we've become a tremendous hockey town down here and yes, the way the the game has grown and yeah, our fans are super supportive and it means the world to us to to have their support. You mentioned therapist. I know sometimes people really struggle with taking that step of taking that getting help in that regard.

[00:05:22]How did the talking with a therapist help you?

[00:05:25]I mean I've been I had the same therapist before years. So >> [snorts] >> you know, I didn't just start with therapy now.

[00:05:30]Been doing it for a long time cuz you know, you kind of want to get ahead of the curve but it just helps um you know it just helps have someone to talk to.

[00:05:40]My therapist has no clue what hockey is.

[00:05:42]Um she's learning but um you know, that's kind of nice too. You kind of have a you know you have a hundred another you know, level of you know how should I explain it? Um she's not focused on me as a hockey player. She's focused on me as a as a person. So it's been great and she's been a tremendous help and yeah, she's one of the big reasons that you know, standing here today and feeling the way I feel. So um yeah, it's been great.

[00:06:14]How much do you feel [snorts] that it really affected your performance on the ice this year?

[00:06:19]Yeah, I mean not just that but you know, you go through you know you break I broke my foot was in in the playoffs last year um kind of hindered a lot of stuff I do in the summer you know, I came back played one period of preseason before I hurt my hip and that was it and then you know, the season starts trying to find your game and it feels like I'm starting to find my game and then you know, the elbow happens after what 14 games.

[00:06:51]Tried to work through that come back doesn't work you have surgery.

[00:06:55]Um you know, you come back three a week before the Olympics get three games in and then yeah, it was just a year or two.

[00:07:05]You know, learn from and like I said a year to look back at and you know, only playing 33 games this it's not ideal obviously but at the end of the day you know, the way my yes, physically and mentally training. So but um like I said now I feel fresh but it feels great. So um ready to get back to work throughout the summer be even more prepared next year.

[00:07:32]Other guys have talked about how it's it's hard to replace your presence and what you bring on the ice. What did you see from the group while you were away?

[00:07:40]Look like they did. I mean they like I said guys really took steps all parts of the game. So um like I said I couldn't be more proud of the guys so how they battled throughout the year and yeah, it was just [snorts] a not the ending obviously we wanted but um you know, you put on a performance like that and I don't know how many times a team under that have that has you know, under 10 shots win that game. So um yeah, they put everything on the line and you know, the fans and everyone should be you know, obviously super proud of you know, how they laid it on the line. So um yeah, it's >> [snorts] >> um we learn from this and we move on.

[00:08:22]Four straight years now of not getting out of the first round like the windows eventually start to close. Like how do you kind of view where you guys are at as a team in that context?

[00:08:34]>> [snorts] >> Yeah, I mean obviously it's a it's a close close league and you know, us and Montreal finished with the same points in in the regular season and you know, every single game was a one goal game but so that's a little bit different than than previous years against Florida.

[00:08:49]Um you know, going to seven but um yeah, we want to get past that first round.

[00:08:55]That's for sure but um like I said teams are getting better and we got to find ways to to keep improving as well. So um yeah, we just assume [snorts] as long as we you know, have the dedication and you know, putting in the work this summer and come back even stronger.

[00:09:12]I like our chances but um like I said it's it's a long regular season to get to the playoffs and you know, next year it's 82 games. So um >> [snorts] >> you know, I got two more games to play.

[00:09:22]So um yeah, yes the bottom line for us is we're a hungry team and you know, first round exit isn't what we want but um yeah, come back work hard and get back to work.