When Bobby Hull had the puck, he was difficult to stop. He had incredible speed, a powerful slapshot, and an abundance of confidence.
Long before today’s top stars entered the rink, “The Golden Jet” put on a great show.
Hull, a Hall of Fame winger and two-time NHL MVP who led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1961, has died. He was 84.
The Blackhawks and the NHL Alumni Association announced the passing of the two-time NHL MVP on Monday. No additional information was provided by either group.
The Blackhawks stated that Hull “provided countless memories to our fans, whom he adored.” Bobby’s shooting power, skating ability, and general team leadership wowed generations of Chicagoans, resulting in 604 career goals, a franchise record that still stands today. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Hull family.”
Hull was one of the most prolific forwards in NHL history, scoring 610 times in 16 seasons with Chicago, Hartford, and Winnipeg. He was nicknamed “The Golden Jet” because of his speed and blond hair, and he scored 303 goals in seven seasons with the Jets in the World Hockey Association.
While on the ice, Hull dealt with legal and family concerns.
Hull was found guilty of attacking a police officer who intervened in a disagreement with his then-wife Deborah in 1986. He was also charged with violence, but the prosecution was dismissed after Deborah refused to testify against her husband, according to a state attorney.
Joanne, Hull’s second wife, accused him of abuse during an ESPN interview for a 2002 episode.
In 1998, a Russian tabloid reported that Hull stated that Adolf Hitler “had some good ideas.” Hull denied commenting, claiming it was “false and defamatory.”
Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, and the Blackhawks retired his No. 9 sweater the following year. He remained separated from the franchise for a spell before being designated a Blackhawks ambassador in a ceremony alongside former colleague Stan Mikita in 2008. Outside the United Center, Hull and Mikita are represented by adjacent statues.
In February 2022, the franchise announced Hull’s retirement from all formal team roles, citing a shared decision.
“Bobby Hull will be recognized as one of the best Blackhawks players of all time. “He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family,” team owner Rocky Wirtz said in a statement.
“When I took over the organization after my father died in 2007, one of my first tasks was to speak with Bobby and encourage him to return as the team’s ambassador. “His connection with our followers was unique and irreplaceable.
Hull’s brother, Dennis, spent the majority of his 14-year NHL career with Chicago, while Bobby’s son, Brett, spent 19 years in the league. Bobby and Brett received the Hart Trophy as league MVPs, becoming the first father-son duo to do so. Bobby won in 1964-65 and 1965-66, and Brett won in 1990-1991.
Bobby Hull helped the Blackhawks back to the top of the NHL after being one of the league’s weakest teams for years before his debut in 1957-58. In his debut season with the team, he produced 13 goals and 34 assists, placing second in the Calder Trophy race for Rookie of the Year.
From there, it was a steady upward trend. From 1959 to 1972, Hull had 13 consecutive seasons with 30 or more goals, making him a perennial All-Star and regular candidate for the league’s top honors.
Hull and Mikita led Chicago to its third title in 1961, defeating Montreal and Detroit in the playoffs. Hull contributed two goals and five assists as the Blackhawks defeated the Red Wings in six games in the playoffs.
The Pointe Anne, Ontario native is still Chicago’s career leader in regular-season and postseason goals. He is second behind Mikita in franchise points with 1,153.
Hull left the Blackhawks after the 1971-72 season when Winnipeg selected him in the WHA draft. According to Hull’s article on the Hall of Fame website, the Jets tempted him away from the NHL with the league’s first $1 million deal.
In 1979, the NHL and WHA combined, and Hull played 27 games with Winnipeg and Hartford before retiring.
Hull recorded 560 assists in 1,063 regular-season NHL games. In addition to his two Hart trophies, he won the Art Ross Trophy three times as the league’s leading scorer and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1965 for sportsmanship and outstanding play.
