Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is the longest-tenured captain in franchise history. Benn was named the Stars’ sixth captain on September 19, 2013.
Jamie Randolph Benn was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on July 18, 1989, to Randy and Heather Benn. Jamie’s siblings are Jordie Benn, a defenseman for HockeyAllsvenskan’s Brynäs IF, and Jenny Benn, who can be found on X at @JenniferAnne05. Benn was drafted 129th overall by the Dallas Stars at the 2007 NHL Draft out of the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies in his hometown Victoria, B.C. Benn, however, didn’t make the Dallas Stars’ roster until the days leading up to the 2009-2010 NHL season.
Jamie Benn made his NHL debut in the Dallas Stars’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators on October 3, 2009. Benn scored his first NHL goal days later on October 11, 2009, tying the game 3-3 to force overtime, but the Stars ultimately lost to the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a shootout. He played in all 82 games in his rookie season in 2009-2010 but was sent down to the Stars’ AHL affiliate, Texas Stars, for the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs, where he recorded 26 points (14 goals and 12 assists) in 24 playoff games as Texas fell to the Hershey Bears in the 2010 Calder Cup Finals.
Benn eventually commented on the Texas Stars experience, telling the Austin American Statesman, “I had a fun summer here…it was a big part of my hockey career and helped me develop my game. I definitely loved playing here.”
Fast forward to February 2011 when Benn took a leading role with the Stars after Brad Richards, a former center who played for Dallas from 2007 to 2011, suffered a concussion. Benn participated in the Accuracy Shooting contest and won against Tampa Bay Lightning star forward Steven Stamkos then the finals against Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matt Read with times of 13.583 and 10.204 seconds, respectively.
The 2012-13 NHL season was delayed due to a labor lockout. As a result, Benn signed a contract with the DEL’s Hamburg Freezers on October 2, 2012. Additionally, Benn initially couldn’t agree to a contract with the Stars and missed the first four games of the shortened NHL season before re-signing a five-year, $26.25 million contract with the Stars on January 24, 2013.
Despite early issues, Dallas named Benn the sixth captain in franchise history on September 19, 2013. Benn’s talent, experience, and leadership have made him a solid choice for the Stars’ captaincy. He went on to score his first career hat trick in the Stars’ 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on February 17, 2015, scored four points in the Stars’ regular-season finale to finish with 87 points on the season and win the Art Trophy on April 11, 2015, and became a Hart Trophy finalist for the first time in his career on May 7, 2016. He agreed to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension with Dallas on July 15, 2016, running through the 2024-25 NHL season.
Benn is the longest-tenured captain in Stars’ history and arguably one of the greatest captains in the NHL. He played in his 1,000th NHL game on February 6, 2023, and became the second player to play all 1,000 games with the Stars, trailing just Stars legend Mike Modano. He recorded his 500th NHL assist in the Stars’ 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on December 11, 2023.
Benn finished the 2023-24 NHL regular season with 60 points (21 goals and 39 assists) and a +8 rating in 82 regular-season games.
Benn might not finish his career in Dallas, but that’s okay. He has been doing well for himself, both on and off the ice. He dominated in “The Bennaissance” alongside Tyler Seguin and has served as a mentor for up-and-coming stars such as Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley, etc. “The Bennaissance” may not be as dominant as it used to be, but Benn’s recent offensive resurgence is as good as it’s ever Benn.
When it comes to international play, Benn represents his native Canada and has won two gold medals, one at the 2009 World Juniors in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and the other at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Benn also finished in fifth place at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.
Benn proposed to his girlfriend, Jessica Bennett, during the Christmas break of 2022. Bennett is a former soccer player who reportedly works as a sales consultant at a medical spa. Bennett also participates in philanthropic endeavors for renowned charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity International, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, etc.
Off the ice, Benn is a man of many talents. He has blogged for 102.1 The Edge, an alternative rock station in Dallas/Fort Worth, in the past. He reportedly listens to “everything” when it comes to music. And, according to TSN’s BarDown, a caesar salad with salmon is the best meal he can prepare in the kitchen. Chef Jamie, maybe?
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