LAS VEGAS -- Third time was the charm for Victor Hedman in the EA Sports NHL Hardest Shot.
The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman won the event for the first time at the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook at T-Mobile Arena on Friday. His shot of 103.2 mph was the highest among the four players participating.
Hedman, who was selected to his third NHL All-Star Game, tied for fourth in the event at the 2020 NHL All-Star Skills in St. Louis (102.1 mph). He did not advance when the event had one-on-one matchups at the 2017 All-Star Skills in Los Angeles (94.2 mph).
"[This] is a step in the right direction," Hedman said with a laugh. "I learned from my first one in L.A. I missed the net on the first one and then hit the bar on the second. Maybe I get a little stronger with age. It was fun to get to 103."
Video: Hedman wins Hardest Shot at 103.2 MPH
New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech, who is making his first All-Star appearance, finished second. After his first attempt of 89.4 mph, Pelech's second shot was clocked at 102.2 mph.
Each of the four players had two shot attempts 30 feet from the net, with the fastest of the two that went into the net their result.
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, who is making his first All-Star appearance after being named the replacement for teammate Alex Ovechkin (NHL COVID-19 protocol), finished third (101.1 mph). San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier, also a first-time All-Star, finished fourth (100.1 mph).
Meier said it was an honor to compete against a player with the pedigree of Hedman, who has helped the Lightning win consecutive Stanley Cup titles (2021, 2020), won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as the most valuable player of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the 2018 Norris Trophy, voted as the NHL's top defenseman.
"Unbelievable player," Meier said. "He's got a bomb of a shot like we saw today. Being out there and measuring your shot speed with a guy like that is an awesome experience. We all had fun with it, and that's what it's all about."
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber won the event in 2020 (106.5 mph). The All-Star Game and Skills were not held last season because of coronavirus concerns. Defenseman Zdeno Chara holds the NHL Hardest Shot record of 108.8 mph, set in 2012.
"Last time I was in [the NHL Hardest Shot], Weber was in it," Hedman said. "I'm not touching that. I tried to shoot as hard as I could, that's for sure. All of the guys who were in it did a good job."
RESULTS (better of two attempts)
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 103.2 mph
Adam Pelech, New York Islanders, 102.2 mph
Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals, 101.1 mph
Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks, 100.1 mph
