Ben Bishop
A towering presence in the net who redefined the modern goaltender's style with his size and agility, coming achingly close to hockey's top prize.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: November 21·Millennials
Biography
Ben Bishop's path to the NHL was unconventional. A late bloomer from Dallas, Texas—an unlikely hockey hotbed—his 6'7" frame made him a project in the eyes of many scouts. Drafted in the third round, he methodically proved his detractors wrong. Bishop was not just tall; he was remarkably athletic, combining a massive wingspan with the flexibility and composure of a smaller man. His peak came with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he backstopped the team to a Stanley Cup Final in 2015, establishing himself as a franchise cornerstone. Trades to Los Angeles and then Dallas followed, and with the Stars, he led the league in save percentage and won the Jennings Trophy, finally earning consistent recognition as a Vezina Trophy finalist. Though injuries robbed him of a chance to lift the Stanley Cup and cut his career short, Bishop's impact was lasting. He demonstrated that extreme size, when paired with refined technique, could dominate the position, paving the way for a new generation of oversized netminders.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ben was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was a three-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender (2016, 2019, 2020).
- Won the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed in the 2018-19 season with the Dallas Stars.
- Led the NHL in save percentage (.934) during the 2018-19 season.
- Backstopped the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
Did You Know?
He is one of the tallest goaltenders in NHL history at 6 feet 7 inches.
He played college hockey at the University of Maine, not a major junior Canadian league.
He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues, his hometown team.
He won the MVP award at the 2019 NHL All-Star Game.
“My job is to stop the puck, and I use every inch I have to do it.”
