User:Krm500/Hedman

Victor Erik Olof Hedman (born December 18, 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with Modo Hockey in the Elitserien. He was drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. His older brother Oscar Hedman plays for Frölunda HC in the same league.

Hedman has represented Sweden at four International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) sanctioned events, winning silver medals at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2007 World U18 Championships. He also participated in the non-IIHF sanctioned 2007 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament where he won a gold medal.

Early life
Hedman was born on December 18, 1990 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, to Elisabeth and Olle Hedman. His mother is a kindergarten teacher, and his father is a factory technician who played as an ice hockey goaltender in his youth, and later served as an equipment manager for Modo's J20-team when his sons played there. He is the youngest of three brothers, all whom are defencemen; older brother Oscar debuted in Elitserien at age 17 and won the Swedish Championship with Modo in 2007, he left Modo for Frölunda HC in 2008. Johan, the oldest brother, played one season in Norway's top league and has spent the rest of his career in minor leagues in Sweden, Norway, and France.

He started playing hockey as a goaltender, his brothers would daily shoot pucks at him in the family's basement which always resulted in Victor running away crying. His mother did not want him to play in goal and bought him equipment for a player position for Christmas. He played soccer til he was 14 years old.

Playing career
Hedman began his junior hockey career in the Swedish J20 SuperElit with the Modo Hockey organization. He recorded 25 points in 34 games during his first full season in the league in 2006–07. During the season he trained with Modo's seniors and he was considered for making his debut. On September 25, 2007, at 16 years, 9 months, and 6 days of age Hedman became the second youngest defenceman to play in Elitserien after Calle Johansson who was 16 years, 7 months, and 17 days at his debut for Västra Frölunda IF in 1983. At the beginning of the 2008–09 season, he was ranked first overall among all draft-eligible skaters in the International Scouting Services' preliminary rankings. Following his performance at the 2009 World Junior Championships, Hedman was listed atop the rankings of European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He is now listed as the number one NHL Draft pick and may be selected first overall by the New York Islanders.

During a press conference on June 8 it was revealed that he would wear number 77 on his jersey, in honour of Ray Bourque who was one of his favourite defencemen growing up. The following day Hedman signed a three-year entry level contract with the Lightning.

International play
Hedman played for Sweden at the 2008 World Junior Championships, where he helped the team to a silver medal, losing to Team Canada 3–2 in the final, and was selected to the tournament All-Star Team. He later became one of the youngest players to play for Sweden's national men's team when he made his debut at age seventeen in an exhibition game against Norway. Hedman would once again play for Sweden's national junior team at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, where he met Canada for the second consecutive year in the gold medal game, earning another silver medal in a 5-1 loss.