TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning named defenseman Victor Hedman as the 11th captain in franchise history, the team announced in a news release.
This development comes two months after the Bolts signed Hedman to a four-year extension and two months after former captain Steven Stamkos ended his 16-year tenure with the team for a four-year deal with Nashville.
“We are thrilled to have Victor leading our team as the 11th captain in franchise history,” Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said in the release. "Victor is a cornerstone player that is extremely well respected by his teammates, coaches and peers across the NHL. Over the past 15 seasons, he has been a world-class representative for our organization both on and off the ice."
The team also announced that Hedman will be joined by two alternate captains; right-winger Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Hedman ranks first among all defensemen in Bolts history for games played with 1,052, points with 728, power-play points with 259, shorthanded points with 14, overtime goals with eight, game-winning goals with 28 and other noteworthy stats, the team mentioned in the release.
On top of those numbers, Hedman is also one of the top playoff performers in Lightning history. He is one of three Bolts players to win the Conn Smythe trophy for most valuable player in the playoffs and helped lead the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021.
"We are looking forward to watching him flourish in his new role as we continue to work towards our goal of winning the Stanley Cup," BriseBois stated in the release.
Previous Lightning Captains:
- Steven Stamkos 2013-14 — 2023-24
- Martin St. Louis 2013-14
- Vincent Lecavalier 2008-09 — 2012-13
- Tim Taylor 2006-07 — 2007-08
- Dave Andreychuk 2002-03 — 2005-06
- Vincent Lecavalier 1999-00 — 2000-01
- Chris Gratton 1999-00
- Bill Houlder 1999-00
- Rob Zamuner 1998-99
- Mikael Renberg 1997-98
- Paul Ysebaert 1995-96 — 1997-98
- None 1992-93 — 1994-95
