Victor Hedman made his NHL debut on October 3rd, 2009 against the Atlanta Thrashers. Hedman was merely 18 years old but registered more than 26 minutes of play and assisted on Tampa Bay’s very first goal of the season. 999 games later, Hedman has already carved his name into the loftiest heights of Lightning lore. Two Stanley Cups, Four Stanley Cup Final appearances, nine All-Star teams, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a James Norris Memorial Trophy. He is the hockey pride of Sweden and the defensive anchor of an entire Lightning era. And we’re celebrating accordingly. From a penned letter from his father to his career through the years, here’s everything covering Victor Hedman’s 1000th game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Victor Hedman 1,000 game tribute

To celebrate Victor Hedman's 1,000th NHL game, Steven Stamkos narrates a tribute to the best defenseman in Lightning franchise history

Career Highlights

Hedman gets the PPG

TBL vs. NJD | Hedman gets the PPG

Hedman gets the Lightning within one

TBL at STL | Hedman gets the Lightning within one

Hedman adds another

TBL at NJD | Hedman adds another

Hedman snipes home equalizer

TBL at NJD | Hedman snipes home equalizer

Hedman responds with a rocket

TBL at FLA | Hedman responds with a rocket

Hedman opens the scoring

TBL at TOR | Hedman opens the scoring

Hedman's second of the night

TBL vs. PHI | Victor Hedman gets his second of the night off a pass from Brayden Point

Hedman's early goal

TBL vs. PHI | Victor Hedman puts the Bolts on the board early on

Hedman finishes Kucherov's feed

TBL at NJD | Hedman finishes Kucherov's feed

Hedman grabs the give and go

TBL at DET | Victor Hedman grabs the pass from Nikita Kucherov and buries it past Alex Lyon

Hedman strikes back

TBL vs. MIN | Victor Hedman strikes back with a one-timer from the blue line

Hedman opens scoring with PPG

TBL vs. ANA | Hedman opens scoring with PPG

Hedman's third period PPG

TBL at MIN | Hedman's third period PPG

Hedman's shootout winner

TBL at WSH | Hedman's shootout winner

Hedman gets one back with PPG

TBL at DAL | Hedman gets one back with PPG

Hedman's tap-in makes it three

TBL at CHI | Victor Hedman's tap-in off the backboard makes it 3-2

Hedman's quick equalizer

TBL at TOR | Hedman's quick equalizer

Hedman sweeps home backhander

TBL at OTT | Hedman sweeps home backhander

Hedman one-times home PPG

TBL@OTT: Hedman ties game with PPG in 2nd period

Hedman's short-handed blast

TBL@BOS: Hedman hammers home SHG to knot score

Hedman answers back

MTL@TBL: Hedman fires through traffic and scores

Hedman ties the game

PIT@TBL: Hedman evens the score in the 3rd period

Hedman goes post and in

BUF@TBL: Hedman slaps a shot into the net

Hedman regains the lead

BOS@TBL: Hedman buries a slap shot to take the lead

Hedman scores goal

TBL@SEA: Hedman scores in 3rd period

Photos: Victor Hedman's Silver Stick Ceremony Celebrating His 1,000th Game

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A tribute fit for a true Lightning great. Victor Hedman's family, friends and close teammates were all on hand for the defenseman's celebration of his 1,000th game. Jeff Vinik presented Hedman with his Silver Stick and Steven Stamkos gave his old friend a special gift as the messages and love poured in for the Big Swede on a night to remember.