Dallas Stars sign NAHL grad Bishop to six-year deal

May 12, 2017

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed former NAHL goaltender Ben Bishop to a six-year, $29.5-million contract extension.

 

Bishop, 30, was acquired by the Stars on May 9 in a deal that sent a fourth round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, originally Montreal's, to Los Angeles. He spent time with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay during the 2016-17 regular season, posting an 18-15-5 record with a .910 save percentage and 2.54 goal against average in 39 games played. During the 2015-16 regular season, his 2.06 goals against average with Tampa Bay led the League for goaltenders that qualified in the category. He also finished second in voting for the Vezina Trophy which is awarded to the goaltender that is adjudged to be the best at his position. A participant in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, he was named to the 2015-16 NHL Second All-Star Team.

 

"As I stated previously, Ben is an elite goaltender in this League and we're thrilled to be adding him to our mix," said Nill. "Ben's commitment to what we are building in Dallas, and his passion for wanting to be a part of it, was evident during the negotiating process. We are excited to have him under contract for the next six seasons."

 

Having played in parts of eight seasons for Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Ottawa and St. Louis, he has compiled a 148-80-25 record in 270 career games played. In that time, he has compiled a .919 save percentage, a 2.32 goals against average and 19 shutouts. Twice, he has finished in the top three in Vezina Trophy voting, finishing second in 2015-16 and third in 2013-14. He has appeared in 36 Stanley Cup Playoff games in his career, including a run to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final with Tampa Bay, posting a 21-13 record with a 2.09 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. His 21 postseason wins and five postseason shutouts since 2014-15 are the most in the NHL.

 

Bishop played as an 18-year-old in the NAHL during the 2004-05 season for the Texas Tornado.  During that season, he led the Tornado to their second of three straight Robertson Cup Championships. He also led the NAHL in wins that season with 35, ranked 2nd in goals against average (1.93) and was 3rd in save percentage (92%). He was also named to the 2004-05 NAHL All-Rookie Team that season. During the season, Bishop committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Maine and later in the Summer of 2005 was drafted by the St. Louis Blues.

 

“The year I played in the NAHL was probably one of the favorite years of my life,” Bishop told The Hockey News earlier this season. “I did my senior year of high school there, we won the championship, it was a great group of guys – lived on a golf course, had a pool – it was great.”

 

The 6-foot-7, 216-pound native of Denver, Colo. was originally selected by St. Louis in the third round (85th overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft.