Ben Bishop

Ben Bishop
Lisa Gansky · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Ben Bishop
Birth date	21 November 1986
Birth place	Denver, Colorado, United States
Weight lb	210
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
Played for	St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars
Drafted	85th overall
Draft year	2005
Draft team	St. Louis Blues
Career start	2008
Career end	2021

Ben Bishop

Benjamin Bishop III (born November 21, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Dallas Stars. Renowned for his 6 ft 7 in frame and positional technique, he was selected in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and became a Vezina Trophy finalist and NHL All-Star calibre performer during his career. Bishop represented the United States at international competitions and set franchise single-season and playoff records while appearing in Stanley Cup playoff series.

Early life and amateur career

Bishop was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in a family with connections to ice hockey through regional youth programs and prep school circuits in the United States. He played youth hockey in Colorado Springs and later starred at Shattuck-Saint Mary's, a boarding school in Faribault, Minnesota known for producing NHL talent such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Zach Parise. After prep school, Bishop attended the University of Maine and played for the Maine Black Bears in the Hockey East conference, competing against programs like Boston College, University of New Hampshire, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. During his amateur years he drew attention from NHL scouts and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2005 after strong performances in collegiate and junior tournaments against teams including Boston University and University of Vermont.

Professional career

After signing with the St. Louis Blues, Bishop developed in the American Hockey League with affiliates such as the Peoria Rivermen and made his NHL debut with the Blues, later joining the Ottawa Senators via trade. He established himself as a starter with the Tampa Bay Lightning, posting franchise-best marks and participating in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs and subsequent playoff campaigns against clubs like the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2016 he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before being acquired by the Dallas Stars, where he helped the franchise reach the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and set single-season records in goals-against average and save percentage benchmarks relative to franchise history. Bishop's peak seasons included selection to the NHL All-Star Game and being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy alongside goaltenders from teams such as the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks. Injuries, including a recurring knee issue and a high-ankle sprain, curtailed later portions of his career and he announced his retirement after undergoing medical evaluation while under contract with Dallas Stars.

Playing style and equipment

Bishop's goaltending style combined butterfly technique with an emphasis on large-frame positional blocking, often compared to other tall goaltenders like Ben Scrivens and Jaroslav Halak in coverage pattern. His size allowed him to cut down angles against shooters from teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning opponents and he developed rebound control and puck-tracking skills coached under staffs including Jon Cooper and Peter DeBoer. Bishop used custom pads and masks from manufacturers popular in the NHL equipment market, and his gear setups adapted to rule changes by the National Hockey League Players' Association and standards enforced by the NHL Competition Committee. Goaltending coaches and analysts from outlets covering ESPN, NHL Network, and TSN frequently cited his lateral mobility and ability to play the puck to defensemen such as Victor Hedman and Jason Demers.

Personal life

Off the ice, Bishop has been involved with charitable initiatives in communities including Tampa, Florida and Dallas, Texas, partnering with organizations akin to team-run foundations and youth hockey outreach programs. He married and has family ties that have been profiled in local media outlets in St. Louis and Ottawa during his tenure with respective franchises. Bishop's international representation for the United States men's national ice hockey team included appearances at events under the umbrella of USA Hockey development programs and he has been featured in alumni events for Shattuck-Saint Mary's and the University of Maine.

Career statistics and records

Bishop accumulated regular season and playoff statistics across the NHL and AHL including wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. He set franchise and league-adjacent marks such as single-season wins and playoff minutes for the Tampa Bay Lightning and recorded career-high seasons that placed him among leaders tracked by Hockey-Reference, Elite Prospects, and NHL statistical compendia. Bishop's achievements include appearances in the NHL All-Star Game, Vezina Trophy finalist recognition, and team records for shutouts and postseason saves during series versus opponents like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche.

Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:American ice hockey goaltenders Category:People from Denver