Victor Hedman named to Atlantic all-star team, as equipment manager

Erik Karlsson talks about how the NHL All-Star Game can be a welcomed distraction and his take on goalie interference.

Victor Hedman will take part in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game after all.

Just, not in the way he was probably hoping to.

The Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman was named to the Atlantic Division equipment staff on Saturday, and will perform the role of “assistant to the equipment manager” for the weekend’s festivities.

The 27-year-old will assist Ray Thill, the Lightning’s head equipment manager.

Hedman was named to Team Atlantic as a player before an injury forced the defenceman to give up his spot, which was eventually given to Lightning teammate Brayden Point.

The Swedish defenceman shouldn’t be too far out of his depth in his new role: a press release stated that his father, Olle, was the equipment manager for Swedish Hockey League team Modo for 23 years.

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