Jamie Benn: Collapsed Lung, Marriage, Nickname, Retirement

A hockey captain’s season can pivot on a single moment. For Jamie Benn, that moment came in the final minutes of a preseason game against the Minnesota Wild, when a routine shift turned into a collapsed lung requiring surgery, sidelining him at least four weeks and raising questions about his return and career.

Age: 36 (born July 18, 1989) ·
Height: 6’3″ ·
Weight: 206 lbs ·
NHL Team: Dallas Stars ·
Position: Left Wing ·
NHL Games Played: 1,000+

Six facts that define Jamie Benn’s profile and career:

Why is Jamie Benn not playing?

Details of his collapsed lung

During the third period of a preseason game on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, Benn absorbed a routine hit and soon experienced breathing difficulty. Team doctors diagnosed a collapsed lung — medically, a pneumothorax. D Magazine cited Stars general manager Jim Nill saying X-rays revealed a small hole in Benn’s lung. The injury required surgery, and the Stars confirmed he would be sidelined for at least four weeks.

Expected recovery timeline

The four-week evaluation period means Benn will miss at least the first seven regular-season games, ESPN reported. The earliest possible return is around Oct. 25 against the Carolina Hurricanes, though the team left open the possibility of a longer recovery. Daily Faceoff later noted Benn returned after a 19-game absence — a sign the process may extend beyond the initial estimate.

The implication: For a team that relies on Benn’s leadership and scoring depth, every missed game in a long season matters. The Stars will need to adjust their top-six forward rotation while waiting for their captain’s return.

How did Jamie Benn collapse his lung?

Mechanism of a collapsed lung

A pneumothorax occurs when air enters the space between the lung and chest wall, putting pressure on the lung and causing it to partially deflate. It can result from a forceful blow to the chest — a hockey hit, a fall, or even a hard shot — or it can happen spontaneously. In Benn’s case, the team confirmed a small hole had formed in the lung, requiring surgical repair.

Incident details

USA Today reported the injury occurred in the final moments of the third period of a Tuesday exhibition against the Minnesota Wild. Benn logged 15:47 of ice time and played through the overtime win before the issue was detected.

What remains unclear is the exact cause of the hole — whether it came from a specific hit, a blocked shot, or an underlying weakness. The team did not specify.

What this means: The exact trigger remains unknown, but the focus is on Benn’s recovery and return.

Did Jamie Benn get married and have children?

Marriage to Jessica

According to Benn’s Wikipedia entry, he married his long-time partner Jessica in 2023. The couple resides in Dallas, Texas.

First child: a son

In 2024, Benn and Jessica welcomed their first son. The boy was present in the stands for Benn’s 400th career goal game in March 2025 — a milestone moment captured by team photographers.

The takeaway: Benn’s personal life has hit several high notes in recent years, contrasting with the sudden setback of this September injury.

Why is Jamie Benn called Chubbs?

Origin of the nickname

The nickname “Chubbs” reportedly originated from a teammate’s playful jab at a roll of fat or a similar physical trait, according to locker-room anecdotes repeated in fan circles and Benn’s Wikipedia page. It stuck and became his common moniker inside the Dallas Stars dressing room.

Other notable nicknames

Teammates have also called Benn Del Taco and Nacho — likely references to pregame meals or running jokes — adding to a colorful personal brand that contrasts with his stoic on-ice demeanor.

Why this matters: Nicknames humanize a player who is often seen only as a scoring threat or a physical force. For fans, they’re a connection to the person behind the visor.

Is Jamie Benn retiring this year?

Current contract status

Benn signed a one-year, $1 million contract with up to $3 million in performance bonuses on June 26, 2025, Sportsnet reported. This contract covers the 2025-26 season and runs through the end of the league year. He had previously signed a five-year extension in 2021 that carried through 2027, but the team restructured terms this summer.

Public statements about retirement

Neither Benn nor the Stars have made any retirement announcement. The injury has fueled speculation — at 36, coming off a 49-point season, a serious lung surgery could be seen as a signal to hang up the skates. But Sportsnet noted that Benn was entering his 17th season, all in Dallas, and the contract suggests the team expects him to play at least this year.

The trade-off: Benn could use this recovery period to evaluate his future, but with a signed contract and a team eyeing a playoff run, a mid-season retirement would be a surprise.

Key quotes on Jamie Benn’s injury

“X-rays found a small hole in Benn’s lung.”

— Jim Nill, Dallas Stars general manager, D Magazine

“The team expects Benn to make a full recovery and be evaluated again in four weeks.”

— Stars official statement, ESPN

For the Dallas Stars, the decision is clear: wait for their captain to heal while adapting the lineup around his absence. For Benn, the path forward requires patience, but the clock on his 17-year career may be ticking louder than ever. The September surgery is a stark reminder that even the toughest players can be sidelined in an instant, and the NHL waits for no one.