ORONO, Maine -- In hockey circles, the University of Maine has acquired a well-earned nickname: "Goalie U."

 

The Black Bears have produced several goaltenders who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League and UMaine is the only school to produce five goalies who won 100 NHL games.

 

Ben Bishop was well aware of that reputation as he considered colleges. He also knew about goalie guru Grand Standbrook, the legendary assistant coach who had recruited and mentored top UMaine netminders.

 

Throw in those factors, and the exciting atmosphere at Alfond Arena in Orono, and Bishop was sold on UMaine.

 

"Grant went down to see him and really liked him and I watched him on video," said former head coach Tim Whitehead, who expected star goalie Jimmy Howard to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. "We definitely saw that he had that [pro] potential."

 

Howard signed and Bishop stepped in as a freshman and earned the starting position. He never relinquished it.

 

Bishop took advantage, backstopping UMaine to back-to-back Frozen Fours in 2006 and 2007. His outstanding play with the Black Bears, and an impressive career in the NHL, have landed him in the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame.

 

Bishop, at 6-foot-7 1/2, is the tallest goalie ever to play at UMaine and in the NHL. "Big Ben" ranks in the top five at UMaine in eight different statistical categories.

 

Bishop, a second-round draft pick of St. Louis in 2005, was a Hockey East All-Rookie choice in 2006 and a second-team all-star in 2008. He is tied for second place in consecutive games played by a UMaine goaltender (40) and ranks third in career saves (2,399), and fourth in both career goals-against average (2.29) and minutes played (5,667).

 

He is also fifth in wins (54) and single-season saves (915) and is tied for fifth in season GAA (2.14) and season save percentage (.923).

 

"He was a tremendous athlete," Whitehead said. "He was really fluid. He skated extremely well and was exceptional at handling the puck."

 

UMaine was exactly what Bishop needed to continue his development. Not only did he work with Standbrook, the Black Bears were consistently involved in high-caliber, pressure-packed games in lively arenas.

 

Bishop embraced the physical and mental grind of competing for a top college program.

 

"Playing college hockey, when you're used to going into hostile environments all over Hockey East, prepares you for NHL atmospheres," Bishop said. "Especially playing in Alfond Arena, which is one of the best experiences in all of college hockey."

 

Bishop played high school hockey in St. Louis, then spent a year with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League. He continued to improve at UMaine, using his large frame and agility to stymie opponents. The Black Bears reached the national championship game in 2006.

 

"He was a very humble guy, but he had the swagger that you need if you're going to be a top Division I goalie and a top NHL goalie," Whitehead said.

 

Bishop has numerous fond memories of UMaine, including a sweep of defending national champ Denver at Alfond Arena in 2005, sweeping North Dakota on the road, games against archrival New Hampshire, and the two Frozen Four appearances.

 

"The Frozen Fours, unfortunately, we couldn't seal the deal, but it's always such an honor to go that far," Bishop said.

 

He lauded former assistant coach Dan Kerluke, Crissy Kerluke (academic support), Whitehead and Standbrook as key influences at UMaine.

 

"We had such a good crew, good teammates, from top to bottom," Bishop said. "We were such a tight group. We had such a good time on and off the ice."

 

Bishop excelled in the NHL during a career that spanned 11 seasons and five teams. He appeared in 413 games, posting a 228-128-36 record (.596), logging 33 shutouts.

 

He registered a career GAA of 2.32 and a .921 save percentage, which ranks fifth all time among NHL goalies who played at least 300 games.

 

Bishop was a three-time finalist, and twice the runner-up, for the Vezina Trophy given to the league's best goaltender. In 2018-19, he led the NHL with a .934 save percentage. He was a two-time All-NHL selection and made the all-star team twice.

 

"One of my favorite games is probably the Game 7 in Madison Square Garden against the Rangers [in 2015]," he said. "We beat them [2-0] to go to the Stanley Cup to play Chicago."

 

Bishop played the Cup finals dealing with a torn groin. The Black Hawks won the series 4-1.

 

He retired in 2020 because of a chronic knee injury.

 

Bishop recently stepped down as the Stars' Player Development Coordinator to focus on his growing family. He lives in Texas with his wife Andrea and their sons Benjamin IV, 9, James, 5, and Mason, 2. They are expecting their fourth child in November.
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