TAMPA, Fla. — Victor Hedman was just a kid, maybe six or seven years old, when he first started hearing about the hockey exploits of a couple of teenagers from his hometown of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden.
Their names were Daniel and Henrik Sedin and in the ensuing years they became an inspiration to a young man who was determined to follow them to the NHL.
These days, Hedman is still inspired by the Sedins, whom he regards as close friends.
Hedman, now in his eighth season as a defenceman with the Tampa Bay Lightning, trains with the twins back home every summer.