Ben Bishop

Born on November 21, 1986, in Denver, Colorado, Ben Bishop began his hockey career playing minor ice hockey in suburban St. Louis. Initially playing forward, he transitioned to goaltender at age eight. Bishop attended Chaminade College Preparatory School alongside future NHL players Chris Butler and Paul Stastny. He later moved to Frisco, Texas, graduating high school before attending the University of Maine. During the 2004–05 season, Bishop played for the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), achieving a league-best record of 35 wins, including five shutouts, and leading his team to a second consecutive National Championship. His collegiate career saw him lead the University of Maine Black Bears to the Frozen Four in both 2006 and 2007, demonstrating early talent and a consistent performance with a 2.22 GAA in his freshman year.

Bishop was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the third round, 85th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2008 and recorded his first NHL shutout in 2011. His career progression included trades to the Ottawa Senators in 2012 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013, where he established himself as a premier goaltender. With the Lightning, Bishop set franchise records for wins and shutouts, distinguishing himself with a 2.06 GAA and a .926 save percentage during the 2015–16 season, for which he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender. After a brief stint with the Los Angeles Kings in 2017, he joined the Dallas Stars, signing a six-year contract worth approximately $29.5 million. He played a significant role in leading the Stars to the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals.

Bishop’s professional hockey career concluded in 2021 due to a degenerative knee injury, officially confirmed by the Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill. Throughout his career, Bishop was recognized for his imposing height at 6’7”, earning him the nickname “Big Ben,” and for his skill in net. He represented the United States in international play, earning a bronze medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championship. Post-retirement, he has indicated a continued interest in hockey, transitioning into a role focused on player development, leveraging his extensive experience and relationships built over his professional career.