Photo: Bildbyrån
Victor Hedman is enjoying himself in Florida so much that he is considering staying even after his contract with Tampa expires.
In any case, there will be no comeback in the parent club Modo.
– That I should come home and play as a 39-year-old, no, I don’t think so, he says to Örnsköldsvik’s Allehanda.
He is one of our biggest Swedish stars in the NHL and has been setting the tone for his Tampa Bay Lightning for 15 years. Still see the huge hill Victor Hedman33, no end to career in North America.
In the fall of 2009, the regretful German moved to Tampa Bay – a team for which he has now played more than 1,200 NHL games. Hedman has lifted the Stanley Cup trophy twice in his life and he has also received the individual award Norris Trophy, as the best defender in the entire league. You can say that life in Florida has been incredible for Hedman and his family.
Excludes return in Modo
Last spring, Victor Hedman extended his contract with the club. Now he has five years left in Tampa. In 2029, when the contract expires, he will be 39 years old. He has already ruled out a return to the parent club Modo.
– When the contract expires, I have done 20 NHL seasons and then the body starts to tell its story. I will take one year at a time, but I have five years left on the contract and that I will come home and play as a 39-year-old, no, I don’t think so, he tells local ÖA.
It is of course a disappointment to the domestic fans who perhaps somewhere hoped that there would be a small, small chance that Hedman would return home within a couple of years. They are now snorted at the confectionery.
Can remain in the US
Since the Hedman family is enjoying itself so well in West Florida, it may very well be that they choose to stay even after he hangs up his skates.
– It is very possible, even if we have not come that far in our thinking. But I’ve lived there half my life and it’s home for us, he says.
READ MORE: He is the best paid NHL Swede ever – the new contract gives him 150 million this year
However, the relationship with Örnsköldsvik is also strong and he is often at home for several weeks in the summer. Then he usually takes the opportunity to train a little with Modo, to get some ice knowledge during the pre-season. He did two Elitserie seasons with the club in 2007-2009 – but that was the last time we got to see the 33-year-old wearing the colors of his hometown, at least in official contexts.
– I’m a big Modoit, but I think I put on that match shirt for the last time, he says.
Sad of course for all Modo supporters who still hoped to see Victor Hedman on home ice again.
You can applaud him for a brilliant career in any case, with a WC gold with Three Crowns as the icing on the cake.
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