Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn Is Defining What It Means To Be A Captain

Since becoming the Captain of the Dallas Stars back in 2013, Jamie Benn has proved to be another individual in a line of great leaders.

Derian Hatcher, Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow. These three players have been the most notable Dallas Stars captains since the franchise made the move to Big D back in 1993, but now, a new name is being added to the group: Jamie Benn.

Two elements that flow through a captain, and all of the guys mentioned above, are leadership and toughness. They’re a necessity for any player looking to be a major part of a successful hockey team.

Whether it’s the grit and grind during tough parts of a game, the examples set on the ice by making smart plays or getting under the skin of the opposition, the captain of a hockey team is a very special player and the Stars, as a franchise, have been lucky enough to have some of the best of the best guide their teams over the years.

Benn began playing NHL games back in 2009-10. At the time, Morrow was still on the team as it headed down a dark path, in just the second season of a five-year stretch of missing the Playoffs. It was through Morrow’s image that Benn became prepared to take over the reigns for 2013-14 since Morrow was traded late in the previous season.

Related Story: The Stars Are Constructed To Win For Years To Come

In his first season as the team’s most influential player, Benn broke out, along with newly-acquired teammate Tyler Seguin, and put up career-highs in goals (34), assists (45) and total points (79). It was obvious that he was ready for the spotlight and he proved that by leading the team to their first Playoff appearance since 2007-08, when the Modano-led Stars went to the Western Conference Finals.

Though the Dallas Stars ultimately missed the Playoffs in 2014-15, Benn took his career to new heights, exploding for an electrifying four-point outing in the final game of the season and winning the Art Ross Trophy with an assist coming at the 19:51 mark of the third period. If it wasn’t already obvious by then, it became clear the the Dallas Stars had a special player leading their team.

2015-16 brought a new glimmer of hope for the team as a few new pieces were added and they set themselves up to contend. Jamie Benn came out firing yet again and held the points lead for a while until Patrick Kane went on 26-game point streak, establishing his lead. Since then, Benn has consistently stayed in second place, while leading the Stars to one of their best seasons ever with young pieces and veteran players providing help along the way.

As the team continues to finish off a great regular season, news broke that Benn had been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This is an honor for any player as it it given to someone who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” Each team will have a nominee and the winner will be decided by the Professional Hockey Writers Association later on.

This honor is fitting for Benn, who has shown nothing but excellence since taking over the title of “Captain” for the Stars. Whatever he does on the ice, like completing big hits, scoring flashy goals or battling through injury and hardship, Benn defines what it means to be a true captain for an elite team in the league today.

Head coach Lindy Ruff weighed in on how important he is to the team (via SportsDay):

"“What he’s done inside that room with that veteran group starts with him. There’s a lot of nights where if something has to be said, he’s the guy who says it. There’s a lot of nights where if something has to be done on the ice, he’s the guy that goes out and does it.”"

The fact that he had major hip surgery last April and was ready to go in October was quite remarkable and shows just how hard he works to stay at the top of his game. Benn’s rise to becoming one of the best of the best, and arguably the best left wing in the NHL, has been defined by his action of putting the team first and sacrificing himself for the team’s success.

More dfw sports: Breaking Down Stars Recent Dominance Against Hawks

Whether Jamie Benn ends up winning the award or not, he looks to have gotten even better–if that’s possible–this season and watching him perform in the Playoffs again is going to be exciting.