Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was named the Stars’ nominee for the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Dallas Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association Wednesday.
The trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It honors Minnesota North Star Bill Masterton, who was the only NHL player to die from injuries sustained in a game.
Benn, the longest-tenured captain in Stars history, is in his 17th season in the NHL and with Dallas. After uncertainty about retirement last summer, the 36-year-old took an $8.5 million annual pay cut to help Dallas retain younger stars like Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston.
Upon his return, he took on a role far different from his prime scoring days, like when he won the Art Ross Trophy back in 2013-14. He’s filled in wherever needed up and down the lineup, on both the left and right wings, but has still produced 15 goals and 20 assists in 56 games. He’s one goal away from tying his total last season, despite playing about 20 games fewer.
Whether healthy or not, Benn’s leadership remains central to the Stars’ success. After a career full of accolades, a Stanley Cup is the last achievement he has yet to reach.
The Stars are seeking to land his name on the Cup in what could be his final playoff run this spring.
The Masterton Trophy winner is selected from a poll of the 32 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season, and a grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund in the name of the winner.