Published 2024-05-10 14.35
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OSTRAVA Victor Hedman arrived just over a day before the World Cup opener against the USA.
Stjärnbacken has taken the opportunity to spend time with his family as much as possible at home in Tampa.
– It is not easy to leave your children like this, they will understand in the future how much it means to us, says the 33-year-old.
It’s been nine days since the Tampa Bay Lightning were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by a 4-1 sweep of the Florida Panthers.
After that, Victor Hedman has taken the opportunity to spend time with the children Rio, three and a half years old, Viggo, one and a half years old, and wife Sanna Grundberg at home in Tampa.
– I have been a father full-time pretty much. I have skated over there and kept going, says Victor Hedman.
“Learn as they grow older”
Leaving the family and going to the WC in the Czech Republic with Tre Kronor was obviously emotional.
It is not relevant for them to come to visit during the championship, due to the long journey with two small children.
– The little one doesn’t really understand yet, but my older one does understand that I’ll be away for quite a while. They will learn when they get a little older what it means to represent Tre Kronor. Now he has no one to play hockey with him at home. Or mother can, but Rio usually wants to play with me, says Victor Hedman.
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full screenVictor Hedman. Photo: Maxim Thore / Bildbyrån
“Make something magical together”
It took until the day before the first World Cup match for him to join the rest of the Tre Kronor squad on site.
An extensive and demanding trip with a time change from Tampa to Ostrava.
– It’s been a long journey, but it’s great fun and inspiring to put on the three crowns again. I come from the heat to the heat. I look forward to doing something magical together here, says Victor Hedman.
“Now you’re blue-yellow”
According to him, there is no concern about not being fit to play on Friday night in Ostrava.
– It’s clear that you feel the journey a little, but a good night’s sleep on this and go on ice in the morning, then it’s just a matter of driving later. I made it straight to the rink to try on the helmet, gloves and all that. Now you’re blue-yellow and all you have to do is drive, says Victor Hedman.
He ranks as one of the greatest Swedish NHL stars of all time.
The last time he played in Tre Kronor was at the WC gold in 2017 in Cologne, Germany.
