Bobby Hull

Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC, hockey player (born 3 January 1939 in Pointe Anne, ON; died 30 January 2023 in Wheaton, Illinois). Nicknamed the “Golden Jet” for his blond hair and blazing speed, Bobby Hull led the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup victory in 23 years in 1961. He tied Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s record of 50 goals in a season in 1961–62 before scoring 54 in 1965–66 and 58 in 1968–69. The highest scoring left winger in hockey history, Hull won the Art Ross Trophy three times and the Hart Trophy twice. In 1972, he accepted $1 million to jump from the NHL to the fledgling World Hockey Association. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bobby Hull in 1968
(courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Career Highlights

Bobby Hull played junior hockey in Hespeler (Cambridge), Woodstock and St. Catharines, Ontario. He joined the Chicago Black Hawks (now Chicago Blackhawks) in 1957. Though he scored only 31 goals in his first two seasons, he was the runner-up to Frank Mahovlich for the Calder Trophy in his first season.

Nicknamed the “Golden Jet” for his blond hair and blazing speed, Hull led Chicago to its first Stanley Cup victory in 23 years in 1961. He then dramatically tied Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s record of 50 goals in a season in 1961–62 before scoring 54 in 1965–66 and 58 in 1968–69. Along with his teammate Stan Mikita, Hull made a unique contribution to hockey through the development of a specialized hockey stick with a curved blade. He also developed a fearsome slapshot that was clocked at 187 km/h.

Hull won the Art Ross Trophy three times, the Hart Trophy twice and the Lady Byng Trophy once. He scored 610 goals and 1,170 points in 15 NHL seasons. In 1972, he accepted $1 million to jump from the NHL to the Winnipeg Jets, giving immediate credibility to the fledgling World Hockey Association. There he continued his prolific scoring, with 77 goals in 78 games in 1974–75, adding 303 goals and 638 points to his totals. He attempted a comeback in 1981 with the New York Rangers but was released in training camp.

Embed from Getty Images

Career After Hockey

Bobby Hull’s son, Brett Hull, emerged as a superstar with the St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars. They became the first father-and-son duo to have 50-goal seasons in the NHL and to win the Hart Trophy.

Angered over the NHL's administration of the pension fund for retired players, Hull joined several veteran players, including Gordie Howe and Carl Brewer, in taking the league to court over surplus monies that the pension fund had produced. The players were successful and gained over $40 million to supplement the pensions of retired players.

Hull is an Officer of the Order of Canada (1978) and the Hockey Hall of Fame (1983). His No. 9 was retired by both the Chicago Blackhawks and the old Winnipeg Jets franchise (now the Arizona Coyotes). Upon retirement he resumed another lifelong interest, cattle ranching.

Controversies

Hull was accused of abusing and/or assaulting at least two of his three wives on multiple occasions. In 1986, he was charged with assaulting a police officer, who intervened during a dispute with his third wife. He was also quoted making anti-Semitic, anti- Black and pro-Nazi statements.