Incident Overview
On January 4, 2026, a concerning incident occurred during a matchup between the Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadiens at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Stars captain Jamie Benn suffered a facial injury in the third period, prompting immediate medical attention. As he fell after a collision with a Canadiens player, Benn hit his face on the ice, which resulted in significant bleeding. He was unable to return to the game, and subsequently received stitches for his wound.
Coach’s Update
Following the incident, Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan announced that Benn would be evaluated further, indicating that the captain is unlikely to participate in the upcoming games. The Stars are currently facing a challenging five-game losing streak, and their schedule will see them embark on a six-game road trip shortly. Gulutzan mentioned that it’s improbable for Benn to join the team for the initial matches against Carolina and Washington, although there is a possibility he could return for the latter part of the trip when they head to the West Coast, starting with a game in San Jose.
Player Background
At 36 years old, Benn is currently in his 17th season with the Stars and has notably refrained from wearing a visor throughout his career. This choice stems from a rule instituted in the NHL prior to the 2013-14 season, which mandates visors for all new players but allows those grandfathered in, like Benn, to continue playing without them. This season, he has logged seven goals and seven assists in 23 appearances, having already missed the first 19 games while recovering from a punctured lung acquired during preseason training.
