Victor Hedman made his professional debut at the age of 16 when he joined Modo of the Swedish Elite League in 2007-08. The next year, Hedman became one of the youngest players to play for Sweden's national men's team when he suited up for an exhibition game against Norway. He has two World Junior Championship silver medals and was selected second overall in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Hedman plays the second-most minutes on Tampa behind only Mattias Ohlund. He is first among rookies averaging almost 24 minutes per game.

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Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defends the zone against the Ottawa Senators at the St. Pete Times Forum on October 29, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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"I looked up to Ray Bourque as a kid," Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman. "But to be honest, I just like high numbers, I had 41 in Modo for two years because that's what my older brother wore, but Smitty [Tampa goaltender, Mike Smith] has it here." Hedman doesn't remember supporting a particular NHL team growing up, but he loved watching countrymen Petr Forsberg and Nik Lidstrom have success in the NHL. "I guess I watched the Avalanche the most," said Hedman. "Forsberg dominated and I loved watching that."

Not much for routine or ritual, the 6-foor-6 Swede has only kept one hobby from his childhood. "Probably the only ritual I've kept from my youth is playing video games," said Hedman. Right now I'm playing a lot of Fifa 10, I also play a little NHL, but I prefer soccer. Plus in the NHL game I'm playing for Modo and I think my rating is like 75 which is not great." While playing soccer video games takes up a large part of Hedman's free time, he also tries to watch the English Premier League as much as possible. "Manchester United is my team so I follow them a lot," said Hedman. "I also follow the Swedish players as well, like Freddie Ljungberg. He's playing in Seattle this season so I'd watch him sometimes. I've never met him, but I'd love to sometime."

Still only 18 years old, Hedman's minor hockey experience is still a vivid memory. "I have a great memory from a tournament back home. I think I was 12 years old and I scored the game-winning-goal in overtime in the finals. I remember exactly what happened. I got the puck in the middle and the goalie came out. I deked him and ended up behind the goal line. Brought the puck back and put it in the empty net," said Hedman while gesturing with his hands the exact move he made on the goalie. "I remember that game very clearly. I was playing for Modo and we were playing against Stocksund. Do you know William Wallen? He plays for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors now and he was playing for that team. His father is my agent and he was coaching that team. What a great memory!"