Ben Bishop

Ben Bishop
Bishop with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013
Born November 21, 1986
Denver, CO, USA
Height 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams 		Tampa Bay Lightning
St. Louis Blues
Ottawa Senators
National team  United States
NHL Draft 85th overall, 2005
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2008–present
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Competitor for  United States
World Championships
Bronze 2013 Stockholm/Helsinki

Ben Bishop III (born November 21, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bishop previously played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. Nicknamed "Big Ben," Bishop is the tallest goaltender to ever play in the NHL at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m).

Personal

Bishop was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Des Peres, Missouri. He is the son of Ben Bishop, Jr. and Cindy Bishop. Bishop's grandfather was a tennis professional who played in the US Open.[1]

Playing career

Bishop played youth hockey for the Kirkwood Stars in suburban St. Louis, as well as for the St. Louis Junior Blues. Bishop attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis.[2] Bishop played forward until eight years of age, when he was converted to a goaltender.[1]

Bishop played for the Texas Tornado of North American Hockey League during the 2004–05 season. He appeared in 45 games and posted a league-best record of 35 wins, eight losses, with five shutouts. His goals against average of 1.93 was second in the league. Most notably, he led the Texas Tornado to their second consecutive National Championship and Gold Cup, given to the best junior A hockey team in North America. Bishop was named to the first team of the NAHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season.

As a freshman for the University of Maine during the 2005–06 season, Bishop finished the regular season with a record of 21 wins, eight loses and two ties, and a 2.28 goals against average. His first game as a college player he lost in overtime to Colorado College in Colorado. The following weekend, Bishop led Maine to a sweep of the back-to-back national champions Denver. In October 2005 and February 2006, he was awarded Rookie of the Month as well as Goaltender of the Month by Hockey East. He was also named Rookie of the Week four separate times. Bishop led the Black Bears to the 2006 Frozen Four, losing to the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the semi-finals, despite playing strongly. He led the Black Bears to the Frozen Four once again in 2007, but lost to Michigan State University in the semi-finals 4–2. As a junior in the 2007–08 NCAA Men's Division I hockey competition, Bishop played behind a less than stellar team, but he had a stellar season, as he posted a 2.43 GAA with a .920 save percentage.

St. Louis Blues

Bishop with the St. Louis Blues in 2011

Bishop was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, 85th overall and became one of their top prospects. It was announced on March 11, 2008, that he had signed with the St. Louis Blues, and he played with the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues' top American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, for the remainder of that season. In five games in 2008 with Peoria, he posted a 2.39 GAA, as well as receiving a fighting major in his second career game.

It was announced on October 19, 2008, that Bishop was recalled from Peoria to join the Blues in St. Louis.[3]

On October 24, 2008, Bishop made his NHL debut, coming off the bench in relief of the injured Manny Legace to start the second period, giving up two goals over the final 40 minutes in a 4–0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.[4] (Legace had tripped on the carpet that was laid out for Vice-Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, who dropped the ceremonial first puck.)[5] Bishop ultimately appeared in six games with the Blues in 2008–09 and was the back-up goalie for all four of the team's playoff games that season.

After starting goaltender Jaroslav Halák was injured in the 2010–11 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 the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place on February 25, 2011, stopping all 39 shots in a 5–0 win.

On July 5, 2011, Bishop signed a one-year contract with the Blues.[6]

Ottawa Senators

Bishop with the Ottawa Senators in 2013

On February 26, 2012, Bishop was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a second-round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.[7] A kitchen accident resulted in Senators' starting goalie Craig Anderson being injured indefinitely with a hand laceration, a situation that may have hastened Bishop's move to Ottawa.[8] At the time of the trade, Bishop was the AHL's top goaltender with a 24–14–0 record, a 2.26 goals against average, a 0.928 save percentage and a league-leading six shutouts through 38 games.[9] Bishop made his Senators debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 6, 2012, a game Ottawa won 7–3. He earned his second win in as many starts in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers. He would finish the season with a 3–3–2 record and 2.48 GAA in ten games played with Ottawa.

Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Bishop began the season in the AHL with the Binghamton 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 the Tampa Bay Lightning.[10] His play improved, however, as he was named the NHL's third star of the week on February 25, 2013, after posting a 2.03 goals-against average and .931 save percentage, as Ottawa won all four of its games.[11]

Tampa Bay Lightning

On April 3, 2013, Bishop was dealt at the 2012–13 trade deadline by the Senators to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick. On April 15, Bishop signed a two-year, $4.6 million extension with the Lightning.[12] Bishop set a career high and Tampa Bay franchise record on January 19, 2014, by making 48 saves in a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.[13]

During the 2013–14 season, Bishop was named the starting goaltender for Tampa Bay over Anders 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 goals-against average. Bishop was ranked fourth in games played, as well as seventh in save percentage and goals-against. Bishop posted five shutouts, which was the second-most in Lightning history. Bishop also set single season records for wins, save percentage and goals-against average. He recorded the second most saves in Lightning history with 1,625.[14] Bishop was nominated for the Vezina Trophy – NHL's top goaltender – for the season due to his stellar play in net, though he ultimately finished third in voting.[15][16]

On August 2, 2014, the Lightning announced that Bishop's contract had been extended for two years.[17] On March 30, 2015, Bishop became the first Lightning goalie to record two assists in one game.[18] On April 4, 2015, Bishop gained his 38th win of the season in a 4-0 shutout of the Florida Panthers, which was a personal best and beat the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise record he set the previous season.[19] On April 11, 2015, Bishop extend his personal best and team record to 40 wins in a Lightning 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Boston Bruins.[20] On April 18, 2015, Bishop made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, and earned his first career NHL playoff win in a 5-1 Lightning victory over the Detroit Red Wings.[21]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT 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
NHL totals 170 95 44 16 9,511 376 16 2.37 .918 — — — — — — — —

International statistics

Year Comp GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA
2010 WC 1 0 0 0 20 0 0 0.00
2013 WC 5 3 2 0 297 14 0 2.83
Senior Int'l totals 6 3 2 0 317 14 0 2.65

Awards and honors

Award Year
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 2005–06
All-Hockey East Second Team 2007–08

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brodie, Rob (February 8, 2012). "Bishop born to shine on hockey's biggest stage". Ottawa Senators.
  2. ↑ Pinkert, Chris (2008-10-24). "Home Sweet Home for Blues' Bishop". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  3. ↑ "Blues Recall Bishop from Peoria". St. Louis Blues. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  4. ↑ http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2008020104
  5. ↑ "LaBarbera gets third shutout in Kings’ 4-0 win". Yahoo! Sports. 2008-10-24. Archived from the original on 28 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  6. ↑ http://www.fox2now.com/sports/hockey/blues/ktvi-blues-hockey-sign-nichol-bishop-070511,0,6733054.story
  7. ↑ "Bulletin: Senators acquire goaltender Ben Bishop from St. Louis for a second-round draft pick" (Press release). Ottawa Senators. February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  8. ↑ http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2012/02/26/19428926.html Bishop a big deal for Senators
  9. ↑ http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=388911 SENATORS ACQUIRE G BISHOP FROM BLUES FOR SECOND-ROUND PICK
  10. ↑ SENATORS LOOK TO RETURN TO FORM AS THEY HOST PENGUINS http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=414613
  11. ↑ VORACEK, STAMKOS, BISHOP NAMED NHL'S THREE STARS OF THE WEEK http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=416821
  12. ↑ "Lightning get Bishop in exchange for Conacher". National Hockey League. 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  13. ↑ "Bishop boosts Lightning past Hurricanes". Tampa Bay Times. January 19, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  14. ↑ Tampa Bay, Lightning (August 2, 2014). "Lightning Sign Ben Bishop to Two Year Contract Extension". Press Release. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  15. ↑ Stubits, Brian (April 25, 2014). "NHL Awards: Rask, Varlamov, Bishop finalists for Vezina Trophy". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  16. ↑ NHL, Awards (June 24, 2014). "Bruins' Rask wins his first Vezina Trophy". NHL.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  17. ↑ Leahy, Sean (August 2, 2014). "Lightning give Ben Bishop two-year, $11.9 million extension". Puck Daddy. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  18. ↑ McWilliams, Bryan (March 30, 2015). "VIDEO: Bishop scribes his name in Lightning record books with assists to Namestnikov, Drouin". The Score. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  19. ↑ Poupart, Alian (April 5, 2015). "Lightning clinch home ice with win against Panthers". NHL.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  20. ↑ Burns, Bryan (April 12, 2015). "Lightning finish regular season with a 3-2 shootout win over Boston". Tampa Bay Lightning Beat Writer. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ Burns, Bryan (April 18, 2015). "Lightning pound Red Wings 5-1 to even series". Tampa Bay Lightning Beat Writer. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ Lund, Chris (February 25, 2013). "Bishop named Third Star of the Week". Ottawa Senators.
  23. ↑ "Ben Bishop Named No. 3 NHL Star of the Week". NHL. March 23, 2015.

External links