| Ben Bishop | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Bishop with theTampa Bay Lightning in October 2013 | |||
| Born | (1986-11-21)November 21, 1986 (age 38) Denver, Colorado, U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | ||
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | St. Louis Blues Ottawa Senators Tampa Bay Lightning Los Angeles Kings Dallas Stars | ||
| National team |  United States | ||
| NHL draft | 85th overall,2005 St. Louis Blues | ||
| Playing career | 2008–2021 | ||
Benjamin Manning Bishop III[1] (born November 21, 1986) is anAmerican former professionalice hockeygoaltender. Bishop previously played for theSt. Louis Blues,Ottawa Senators,Tampa Bay Lightning,Los Angeles Kings, andDallas Stars of the NHL. Nicknamed "Big Ben", Bishop is the tallest goaltender ever to play in the NHL, along withMikko Koskinen,Mads Søgaard,Ivan Fedotov, andDennis Hildeby at a height of 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m).[2][3] He was a three-timeVezina Trophy finalist as the NHL's top goaltender.
Although he was born inDenver, Colorado, Bishop grew up in suburbanSt. Louis[4] where he playedminor ice hockey for the Kirkwood Stars, as well as for the St. Louis Junior Blues. He played in the 2000Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the St. Louis Junior Blues.[5] Bishop played forward until age eight, when he was converted to a goaltender.[6] He attendedChaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, where he playedhigh school hockey on the same team withChris Butler andPaul Stastny.[7][8] He later moved toFrisco, Texas, where he graduated from high school before attending theUniversity of Maine.[9]
Bishop played for theTexas Tornado of theNorth American Hockey League (NAHL) during the 2004–05 season. He appeared in 45 games and posted a league-best record of 35 wins (including 5 shutouts) and 8 losses. Hisgoals against average (GAA) of 1.93 was second in the NAHL. Most notably, he led the Texas Tornado to their second consecutive National Championship. Bishop was named to the first team of the NAHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season.[10]
As a freshman for theUniversity of Maine during the 2005–06 season, Bishop finished the regular season with a record of 21 wins, 8 losses and 2 ties with a 2.28 GAA. In his first game as a collegiate player, he lost in overtime toColorado College in Colorado. The following weekend, Bishop led Maine to a sweep of the back-to-back national champions, theUniversity of Denver. In October 2005 and February 2006, he was awarded Rookie of the Month as well as Goaltender of the Month by theNCAA'sHockey East conference. He was also named Rookie of the Week four separate times. Bishop led the Black Bears to the 2006Frozen Four, losing to theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison in the semi-finals, despite playing strongly.[9]
Bishop led the Black Bears to the Frozen Four once again in 2007, but lost toMichigan State University in the semi-finals, 4–2. As a junior in the2007–08 NCAA Men's Division Hockey competition, Bishop played behind a less-than-stellar team, but had an impressive personal season performance, posting a 2.43 GAA and a .920 save percentage.[9]
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Bishop was drafted by theSt. Louis Blues in the third round of the2005 NHL entry draft, 85th overall, and became one of their top prospects. On March 11, 2008, it was announced he had signed with the Blues, where he would play the remainder of the season for theirAmerican Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, thePeoria Rivermen. In five games with Peoria, he posted a 2.39 GAA and received a fighting major in his second career game.[citation needed]
On October 19, 2008, it was announced Bishop was recalled from Peoria to join the Blues.[11] On October 24, he made his NHL debut, coming off the bench in relief of the injuredManny Legace to start the second period, giving up two goals over the final 40 minutes in a 4–0 loss to theLos Angeles Kings.[12][13] Bishop ultimately appeared in six games with the Blues in2008–09 and was the back-upgoaltender for all four of the team's playoff games that season in the first round sweep at the hands of theVancouver Canucks.[14]
After starting goaltenderJaroslav Halák was injured in the2010–11 season, Bishop was called up from Peoria. In his third game played of the season, he would record his first NHL shutout, which came against theEdmonton Oilers atRexall Place on February 25, 2011, stopping all 39 shots in a 5–0 win.[15]
On July 5, 2011, Bishop signed a one-year contract with the Blues.[16]
On February 26, 2012, Bishop was traded to theOttawa Senators in exchange for a second-round pick in the2013 NHL entry draft.[17] A kitchen accident resulted in Senators' starting goaltenderCraig Anderson being injured indefinitely with a hand laceration, a situation that may have hastened Bishop's move to Ottawa.[18] At the time of the trade, Bishop was the AHL's top goaltender with a 24–14–0 record, a 2.26 GAA, a .928 save percentage and an AHL-leading six shutouts through 38 games.[19] Bishop made his Senators debut against theTampa Bay Lightning on March 6, 2012, in a game which Ottawa won 7–3. He earned his second win in as many starts in a 4–1 win over theNew York Rangers. He finished the season with a 3–3–2 record and 2.48 GAA in ten games played with Ottawa.[14]
Due to the2012–13 NHL lockout, Bishop began the2012–13 season in the AHL with theBinghamton Senators, where he posted an 8–3–2 record and 2.59 GAA in 13 games. Once the lockout was resolved, he was called up to Ottawa to serve as backup to Craig Anderson. His first game of the NHL season was less than memorable for Bishop, as he surrendered five goals on 30 shots in a loss to Tampa Bay.[20] However, his play improved as he was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week on February 25, 2013, after posting a 2.03 GAA and .931 save percentage, as Ottawa won all four of its games.[21]
On April 3, 2013, Bishop was traded at the2012–13NHL trade deadline by the Senators to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forwardCory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick. On April 4, Bishop made his Lightning debut, shutting out theCarolina Hurricanes 5–0 inRaleigh, North Carolina. On April 15, Bishop signed a two-year, $4.6 million contract extension with the Lightning.[22] Bishop set a career high and Tampa Bay franchise record on January 19, 2014, by making 48 saves in another victory over Carolina.[23]
During the2013–14 season, Bishop was named the starting goaltender for Tampa Bay overAnders Lindbäck. Bishop posted a 37–14–7 record last in the 63 games played that season. He also recorded a .924 save percentage and a 2.23 GAA. Bishop was ranked fourth in games played, as well as seventh in save percentage and goals against. He posted five shutouts, which was the second most in Lightning history, and also set single-season records for wins, save percentage and GAA. He recorded the second-most saves in Lightning history, with 1,625.[24] Bishop was nominated for theVezina Trophy—NHL's top goaltender—for the season due to his stellar play in net, though he ultimately finished third in voting.[25][26] During a game against theToronto Maple Leafs on April 8, 2014, he fell awkwardly on his left leg. He had to be helped off the ice that would end his 2013–14 season, as Tampa Bay were swept out of the first round of the2014 Stanley Cup playoffs by theMontreal Canadiens.[27]
On August 2, 2014, the Lightning announced Bishop's contract had been extended for two years.[28] On March 30, 2015, Bishop became the first Lightning goalie to record two assists in one game.[29] On April 4, 2015, Bishop earned his 38th win of the season in a 4–0 shutout of theFlorida Panthers, which was a personal best and surpassed the Tampa Bay franchise record he set the previous season.[30] On April 11, 2015, Bishop extended his personal best and team record to 40 wins in a 3–2 Lightning shootout win over the visitingBoston Bruins.[31] On April 18, 2015, Bishop made hisStanley Cup playoff debut—and earned his first career playoff win—in a 5–1 victory over theDetroit Red Wings.[32] On May 29, 2015, Bishop joinedTim Thomas andPatrick Roy as the only goaltenders to post shutouts in two Game 7s in a single playoff year. Bishop also became the first goaltender to post two shutouts in two Game 7s in his first season in the playoffs. Additionally, Bishop became the first goaltender to win back-to-back playoff shutouts inMadison Square Garden, which would cause the New York Rangers to lose their first Game 7 at home in their franchise's history.[33] After losing to theChicago Blackhawks in six games in the2015 Stanley Cup Finals, Bishop revealed he tore his groin on aBrad Richards shot in the second period of Game 2. The injury did not require surgery, just rest during the off-season.[34][35]
On October 17, 2015, Bishop became the all-time leader in regular season wins for the Tampa Bay Lightning, posting his 84th win in a 2–1 victory over the visitingBuffalo Sabres. In doing so, he surpassed former Lightning goaltenderNikolai Khabibulin's record of 83 regular season wins.[36] On October 23, 2015, Bishop won his 100th career NHL game in a 4–3 Lightning victory in overtime over theWinnipeg Jets.[37] On January 6, 2016, Bishop was named to the2016 NHL All-Star Game, his first career All-Star appearance.[38] Bishop also became the second Lightning goaltender selected to an All-Star Game in team history. On February 3, 2016, Bishop recorded his 100th win for the Lightning in a 3–1 win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.[39] Bishop also became the first Lightning goalie to record 100 wins in franchise history with the victory.[40] On March 19, 2016, Bishop posted his 15th career shutout in a Lightning uniform. This shutout moved Bishop past Nikolai Khabibulin for the most shutouts in franchise history.[41] On April 27, 2016, Bishop was named one of the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy. Bishop led the NHL with a 2.06 GAA and posted a 35–21 record with a .926 save percentage.Braden Holtby andJonathan Quick were the other finalists named. This was Bishop's second time being a finalist for the Vezina.[42] Bishop finished as runner-up in the Vezina Trophy and was named to theNHL second All-Star team.[27]
On October 13, 2016, Bishop became the Lightning's all-time leader in saves (4,963), surpassingDaren Puppa (4,959).[43] The record came during a 6–4 win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.[44] On October 25, 2016, Bishop's two front teeth were knocked out by the Toronto Maple Leafs'Peter Holland on a shot to his mask. Bishop, stunned, shook his head, causing his teeth to fall out into his mask.[45] On November 17, 2016, Bishop played in 207th game for the Lightning, surpassing Daren Puppa for most games played by a goaltender in Lightning history.[46]
During the 2016 off-season, rumors built up about the Lightning's intention to trade Bishop due to salary cap restraints for Tampa Bay and the impending2017 NHL expansion draft, as Bishop was entering the final year of his contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent the following summer. After a deal with theCalgary Flames involving a contract extension fell through, Bishop began the 2016–17 season with Tampa Bay.[47]
As the Lightning dealt with lingering salary cap space concerns sitting outside of a playoff spot, Bishop was traded three days before the NHL trade deadline on February 26, 2017, to theLos Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltenderPeter Budaj, defensemanErik Černák, a2017 NHL entry draft seventh-round pick and a conditional second-round pick in 2017.[48] Bishop made his debut with Los Angeles on February 28, a 2–1 overtime loss in which he stopped 28 of 30 shots and was awarded the game's third star.[49] Acquired by the Kings to back-upJonathan Quick (who was just coming off an injury in which he missed most of the season) and to bolster the team's chances of making the playoffs, Bishop appeared in seven games with the club, but was unable to help the squad to a playoff appearance.[27]
On May 9, 2017, the Kings traded Bishop's expiring contract and negotiating rights to theDallas Stars in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft, which Dallas had previously acquired from the Montreal Canadiens.[50] On May 12, 2017, it was announced via theDallas Stars officialTwitter account that the Stars and Bishop agreed to a six-year contract worth about $29.5 million.[51]
On March 14, 2019, in a game against theMinnesota Wild, Bishop brokeEd Belfour's franchise record for longest shutout streak before being pulled due to a lower body injury.[52] At that time, Bishop ranked second in the league in goals against and first in save percentage. The Stars later announced Bishop was day-to-day.[53]
In the2019–20 season, Bishop was able to reach his second career Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and first with the Dallas Stars, albeit deemed "unfit to play" throughout the majority of the playoffs. In the three playoff games he played, he struggled mightily, posting an .844 save percentage and a 5.41 goals against average. The Stars would lose 4–2 to theTampa Bay Lightning, his former team.
The Stars announced Bishop would be out five months following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. On April 14, 2021, the Stars announced that Bishop would be ruled out for the rest of theCOVID-19 pandemic shortened2020–21 season.
Still hoping to continue his professional career, Bishop continued his rehabilitation into the2021–22 season. Starting the season on the injured reserve, Bishop later accepted a conditioning assignment to AHL affiliate, theTexas Stars. After letting in 8 goals in a 8–4 defeat to theChicago Wolves, Bishop was returned to Dallas' long-term injury reserve list and effectively signalled his retirement from professional hockey, later confirmed by Stars general managerJim Nill due to having a degenerative knee injury on December 11, 2021.[54] On June 10, 2022, Bishop's contract along with a seventh-round draft pick in2022 were traded to theBuffalo Sabres in exchange for future considerations.[55]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men'sice hockey | ||
| Representing United States | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 2013 Stockholm/Helsinki | |
On March 2, 2016, Team USA named Bishop to its roster for the2016 World Cup of Hockey. The tournament ran from September 17 to October 1, 2016, inToronto.[56]
Bishop was born to Ben Bishop Jr. and Cindy Bishop. His grandfather, Ben Bishop Sr., was a professionaltennis player who played in theUS Open.[6]
Bishop attendedChaminade High School, which retired his jersey number.[57] Later he moved toFrisco, Texas, where he graduated fromFrisco High School.[58]
Bishop and his wife, Andrea, have two sons (Benjamin Bishop IV, James Andrew Bishop).[59]
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2004–05 | Texas Tornado | NAHL | 45 | 35 | 8 | 2 | 2577 | 83 | 5 | 1.93 | .920 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 660 | 30 | 0 | 2.73 | .891 | ||
| 2005–06 | University of Maine | HE | 31 | 21 | 7 | 2 | 1728 | 64 | 0 | 2.22 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | University of Maine | HE | 34 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 1907 | 68 | 3 | 2.14 | .923 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | University of Maine | HE | 34 | 13 | 18 | 3 | 1972 | 80 | 2 | 2.43 | .920 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Peoria Rivermen | AHL | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 302 | 12 | 0 | 2.38 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Peoria Rivermen | AHL | 33 | 15 | 16 | 1 | 1898 | 89 | 1 | 2.81 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 245 | 12 | 1 | 2.94 | .893 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Peoria Rivermen | AHL | 48 | 23 | 18 | 4 | 2793 | 129 | 0 | 2.77 | .901 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Peoria Rivermen | AHL | 35 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 2043 | 87 | 2 | 2.55 | .914 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 2.04 | .895 | ||
| 2010–11 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 369 | 17 | 1 | 2.76 | .899 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Peoria Rivermen | AHL | 38 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 2258 | 85 | 6 | 2.26 | .928 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Binghamton Senators | AHL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 179 | 7 | 0 | 2.35 | .944 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 532 | 22 | 0 | 2.48 | .909 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Binghamton Senators | AHL | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 787 | 34 | 0 | 2.59 | .928 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 758 | 31 | 1 | 2.45 | .922 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 502 | 25 | 1 | 2.99 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 63 | 37 | 14 | 7 | 3586 | 133 | 5 | 2.23 | .924 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 62 | 40 | 13 | 5 | 3519 | 136 | 4 | 2.32 | .916 | 25 | 13 | 11 | 1459 | 53 | 3 | 2.18 | .921 | ||
| 2015–16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 61 | 35 | 21 | 4 | 3585 | 123 | 6 | 2.06 | .926 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 582 | 18 | 2 | 1.86 | .939 | ||
| 2016–17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 32 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1813 | 77 | 1 | 2.55 | .911 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 412 | 17 | 0 | 2.49 | .900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 53 | 26 | 17 | 5 | 2887 | 120 | 5 | 2.49 | .916 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 46 | 27 | 15 | 2 | 2638 | 87 | 7 | 1.98 | .934 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 811 | 30 | 0 | 2.22 | .933 | ||
| 2019–20 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 44 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 2474 | 103 | 2 | 2.50 | .920 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 133 | 12 | 0 | 5.41 | .844 | ||
| 2021–22 | Texas Stars | AHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 8 | 0 | 8.20 | .765 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 413 | 222 | 128 | 36 | 23,317 | 903 | 33 | 2.32 | .921 | 52 | 29 | 21 | 2,985 | 113 | 5 | 2.27 | .924 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | United States | WC | 13th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | |
| 2013 | United States | WC |  | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 297 | 14 | 0 | 2.83 | .876 | |
| 2016 | United States | WCH | 7th | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 6.00 | .800 | |
| Senior totals | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 357 | 18 | 0 | 3.03 | .870 | ||||
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| NAHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2005 | |
| All-Rookie Team | 2005 | |
| Champions (Texas Tornado) | 2005 | |
| College | ||
| HEAll-Rookie Team | 2006 | [9] |
| HE All-Academic Team | 2007,2008 | |
| HEAll-Second Team | 2008 | [9] |
| AHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2012 | |
| Second All-Star team | 2012 | |
| NHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2016 | [38] |
| Second All-Star team | 2016,2019 | |