Bobby Hull, born on January 3, 1939, in Pointe Anne, Ontario, Canada, is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. With a career that spanned from 1957 to 1980, Hull was a powerful left-winger known for his incredible speed and powerful shot, which earned him the nickname “The Golden Jet.”
Hull’s hockey career began in the junior leagues, where he quickly established himself as a dominant player. In 1957, he was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), and it was here that Hull truly began to make his mark on the game. In his first season with the Blackhawks, Hull scored 39 goals and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league.
Over the next several seasons, Hull continued to dominate the NHL, setting records and winning awards along the way. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league’s most valuable player, and a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner for leading the league in scoring. In addition to his individual achievements, Hull also helped lead the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup championship in 34 years in 1961.
However, despite his success on the ice, Hull was never content with his contract with the Blackhawks. He felt that he was not being paid what he was worth and, in 1972, he made the controversial decision to leave the NHL and join the newly-formed World Hockey Association (WHA). This move was a bold one, as the WHA was considered an upstart league that many felt would never compete with the established NHL. But Hull saw it as a chance to prove himself and earn the money that he felt he deserved.
And prove himself he did. In his first season with the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA, Hull broke the league’s all-time single-season goal-scoring record with 77 goals in just 74 games. He went on to lead the league in scoring for three seasons and was named the league’s most valuable player in 1974. He also helped lead the Jets to two Avco Cup championships, the equivalent of the Stanley Cup in the WHA.
Despite his success in the WHA, Hull eventually returned to the NHL in 1980, finishing his career with the Hartford Whalers. He retired from professional hockey in 1981, with a total of 610 goals and 560 assists in 1,063 games. In 1983, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the greatest hockey players of all time.
But Hull’s impact on the sport of hockey extends far beyond his personal achievements. He was a trailblazer, paving the way for future players to earn more money and have more control over their careers. He was also one of the first players to use a curved blade on his hockey stick, a design that is now standard in the sport. And with his incredible speed and powerful shot, he brought a new level of excitement to the game, inspiring countless young players to take up the sport.
Today, Bobby Hull remains one of the most beloved and revered figures in the world of hockey. He is remembered as a true pioneer, a player who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the ice and helped shape the sport into what it is today. Whether it is through his records and awards, or through the countless young players who were inspired by his incredible play, Hull’s legacy continues to live on, a testament to his greatness and his impact on the sport of hockey.
Bobby Hull, dead 84, was a Hall of Famer for the Blackhawks and Jets
Hall of Fame forward Bobby Hull, who assisted the Chicago Blackhawks in winning the 1961 Stanley Cup Final, has passed away. He turned 84.
The two-time NHL MVP passed away on Monday, according to the Blackhawks and the NHL Alumni Association. Neither organisation offered any more information.
Hull “gave numerous memories to our fans, whom he cherished,” according to the Blackhawks. Bobby’s shooting power, skating talent, and overall team leadership wowed generations of Chicagoans and helped him score 604 goals in his career, still a franchise record. We extend our sincere condolences to the Hull family.
Hull was one of the NHL’s most productive forwards, tallying 610 goals in his 16-year career while playing for Chicago, Hartford, and Winnipeg. He earned the moniker “The Golden Jet” for his speed and blonde hair, and during the course of seven seasons with the Jets in the World Hockey Association, he scored 303 goals.
Hull was a success on the ice, but he also had personal problems with his family and the law.
In 1986, Hull was found guilty of assaulting a policeman who had interfered in a disagreement with his then-wife Deborah. According to a state attorney who spoke to the Chicago Tribune, he was also charged with violence, but the accusation was withdrawn after Deborah informed police that she didn’t want to testify against her husband.
Hull was quoted as saying that Adolf Hitler “had some nice ideas” in a Russian publication in 1998. Hull disputed the statement and referred to it as “false and slanderous.”
The Blackhawks retired Hull’s No. 9 jersey the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was a long time club outcast before being honoured as a Blackhawks ambassador in 2008 alongside former colleague Stan Mikita. Outside the United Center, there are neighbouring sculptures of Hull and Mikita.
Hull has left all formal team roles, the team stated in February 2022, citing a collective decision.
“One of the all-time greatest Blackhawks players, Bobby Hull, will always be remembered. He was a cherished member of the Blackhawks family, according to a statement from team owner Rocky Wirtz.
“One of my first tasks after taking over the organization’s management when my father passed away in 2007 was to speak with Bobby and persuade him to rejoin the team as an ambassador. His exceptional and irreplaceable bond with our supporters.
Dennis Hull, Hull’s brother, spent the most of his 14 seasons in the league playing for Chicago, while Brett Hull, Bobby’s son, played in the NHL for 19 years. Being the first father-son team to do so, Bobby and Brett each received the Hart Trophy for league MVP. Brett triumphed in 1990–1991 whereas Bobby won in 1964–1965 and 1965–1966.
Prior to his NHL debut in the 1957–58 season, the Blackhawks had been one of the league’s weakest teams for years. Bobby Hull assisted in bringing them back to the top of the NHL. He finished second in the Calder Trophy race for rookie of the year with 13 goals and 34 assists during his first season with the organisation.
After it, there was an upward trend. From 1959 until 1972, Hull had 13 straight seasons with 30 or more goals, making him a frequent participant in the All-Star Game and a contender for the league’s top honours.
Chicago won its third title in 1961 after overcoming Montreal and Detroit in the playoffs thanks to Hull and Mikita. Hull contributed two goals and five assists as the Blackhawks beat the Red Wings in the championship series in six games.
The product of Pointe Anne, Ontario, is still Chicago’s all-time leader in both regular season and postseason goals. With 1,153 points, he is second only to Mikita on the franchise points list.
When Hull was chosen by Winnipeg in the WHA draught following the 1971–72 season, he parted ways with the Blackhawks. According to his profile on the Hall of Fame website, the Jets enticed Hull away from the NHL with hockey’s first $1 million deal.
In his last season before retirement, Hull played 27 games with Winnipeg and Hartford before the NHL and WHA merged in 1979.
In 1,063 NHL games during the regular season, Hull has 560 assists. In addition to his two Hart trophies, he also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1965 for sportsmanship and outstanding performance. He also won the Art Ross Trophy three times, which is given to the league’s leading scorer.
Hull “gave numerous memories to our fans, whom he cherished,” according to the Blackhawks. Bobby’s shooting power, skating talent, and overall team leadership wowed generations of Chicagoans and helped him score 604 goals in his career, still a franchise record. We extend our sincere condolences to the Hull family.
