Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman Supports Hurricane Helene First Responders

When Hurricane Helene hit Tampa Bay, it wasn’t just homes and neighborhoods that took a hit — it was the entire community. Floodwaters submerged streets, damaged houses, and left many families without a place to stay. First responders put their lives on hold to keep others safe, often not knowing what they’d come back to. 

Seeing the aftermath firsthand, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman knew he had to help. Teaming up with his wife, Sanna, Hedman pledged $150,000 to aid recovery efforts. The funds are going directly to the Tampa Police Benevolent Association and the Coast Guard Foundation, helping those who were out there on the front lines while their own homes were getting battered by the storm.

Lightning captain Victor Hedman signs a Coast Guard flag while visiting the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater on Tuesday. Hedman and his wife Sanna pledged to donate $150,000 to first responders at Tampa Police Department and the Coast Guard who suffered damage to their homes while on duty during the storm. [ Courtesy of The Tampa Bay Lightning ]

“It’s not just about writing checks. It’s about standing by the people who make our community safe — especially when they’re going through tough times themselves,” Hedman said during his visit to the Tampa Police Department. The donation will support 11 officers who lost their homes or had significant damage while they were on duty, serving others during the chaos.

Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is joined by his family as he is honored before playing in his 1,000th NHL game in December in Tampa. He and his wife, Sanna, have pledged to donate $150,000 to those affected by Hurricane Helene. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Hedman, along with a group of Lightning players, spent the day visiting various spots affected by the hurricane. Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli played ball hockey with kids at the YMCA. Others stopped by fire stations, hospitals, and special needs centers to bring a little bit of joy to those recovering from the disaster. 

Hedman’s gesture shows how important it is for public figures, especially athletes, to rally behind their communities in times of crisis. His actions are a reminder that giving back is not just a responsibility — it’s what makes a community truly thrive.

The Athletes for Freedom Foundation joins Hedman in expressing sincere condolences to those affected by the hurricane and sends its best wishes for recovery to everyone touched by the storm’s destruction. Together, we stand strong, and together, we rebuild. 💙 #CommunitySupport #TampaBayStrong