victor hedman out for Sweden in Olympic quarterfinal vs. United States
Victor Hedman sustained a lower-body injury during pregame warmups and has been ruled out for Sweden’s quarterfinal clash with the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The veteran defenseman remained on the bench at Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday and will be re-evaluated after the game.
Injury and game status
Sweden’s coaching staff confirmed Hedman will not take the ice for the elimination game on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (ET). The 35-year-old blue-liner was dressed for the matchup but exited warmups with the lower-body issue and stayed with the team on the bench while being scratched for the contest. Team he will undergo further evaluation once the immediate Olympic schedule allows.
Hedman has been one of Sweden’s top minutes-eaters in the tournament, averaging 18: 42 of ice time per game and contributing a goal and an assist through four appearances. He had returned to club action for three games prior to the Olympics after missing 22 games due to elbow surgery, a recovery that made his availability at the Games a key storyline heading into the knockout round.
What this means for Sweden’s blue line
The loss of Hedman strips Sweden of its most experienced defensive presence for a do-or-die matchup. He has been a steadying force for years at the international and club levels, often logging matchup minutes against opposing top lines. His absence places added responsibility on the remaining veteran defensemen and forces younger options to step into larger roles in a high-pressure setting.
With Hedman out, Rasmus Andersson was the extra defenseman listed who could be recalled into the lineup if needed later in the tournament. The coaching staff will have to rework defensive pairings and special teams minutes to compensate for the lost heavy-lift minutes Hedman typically provides on both penalty kill and even-strength situations.
Sweden faces an immediate challenge: this is an elimination game, and a loss would end the team’s run at the podium. The adjustment to the lineup comes at the worst possible moment in terms of timing, forcing tactical changes on the fly against a United States side that will look to exploit any disruption.
Next steps and outlook
Medical staff will assess Hedman after the game to determine the extent of the lower-body injury and whether it will affect Sweden’s plans should they advance. If Sweden reaches the semifinals and Hedman remains sidelined, the team will have to rely on its depth and defensive organization to handle heavy workloads.
For Hedman personally, the evaluation will consider his recent comeback from elbow surgery and the short turnaround that accompanied Olympic preparation. His presence in the tournament has been notable given the limited club action he had prior to the Games, and any further absence would be a significant blow to Sweden’s defensive profile.
With the quarterfinal outcome still in play, attention now shifts to how Sweden adapts on the ice and whether the team can overcome the sudden loss of one of its top defenders. Updates on Hedman’s condition are expected once medical staff complete their postgame assessment and more information becomes available.
