Victor Hedman says Lightning leave was for mental health
Updated
Updated · NHL.com · May 5
Victor Hedman says Lightning leave was for mental health
17 articles · Updated · NHL.com · May 5
The 35-year-old captain missed Tampa Bay's final 15 regular-season games and its seven-game first-round loss to Montreal after last playing on 19 March in Vancouver.
Hedman said the issue had built for a long time and that leaving after the Canucks game was the "final straw"; Tampa Bay had cited personal reasons on 25 March.
General manager Julien BriseBois said Hedman is in a much better place and expected back next season, while the defenceman urged others to seek help and credited family, teammates and a therapist.
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