yave1964 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Bobby Hull passed away today. He was 84. The Golden Jet, father of the Golden Brett, one of the most popular players to ever lace them up, had a monster career with the Blackhawks, jumped to the WHA for a then unheard of one million dollar signing bonus, played elite level Hockey for most of the seven year existence of the Rebel league, came back to the NHL for a brief moment with the Hartford Whalers before hanging them up. He was a force on the ice, an opinionated sometimes loved, sometimes hated man off of it. He scored 610 goals in the NHL and 303 in the WHA for a total of 913 as a professional. He led the NHL in goals seven times, in scoring three times, and was a first team all star a whopping ten times. He won the Hart three times, the Art Ross twice, Lady bing once and was a two time WHA MVP as well. Just a Hockey God in other words. I have his hockey reference page open right now, under Comps the most comparable player of all time to Bobby is his boy Brett which somehow seems utterly fitting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucyJack Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Perhaps more than anybody, with his wicked hard slap shot and new-fashioned curved stick, he got goaltenders to start tinkering with wearing mask protection. He was not from Chicago, but became a Chicago Legend. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Podein25 Posted January 30, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2023 7 minutes ago, SaucyJack said: Perhaps more than anybody, with his wicked hard slap shot and new-fashioned curved stick, he got goaltenders to start tinkering with wearing mask protection. Plus the rug, don't forget the magnifcent rug. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) Bobby Hull dies at 84, legendary Blackhawks goal-scorer, Cup champion Hockey Hall of Fame forward scored at least 50 five times, named one of 100 Greatest NHL Players https://www.nhl.com/news/bobby-hull-dead-at-age-84/c-340587082 Bobby Hull, arguably the greatest player in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks and one of the most feared goal-scorers of the 1960s, died Monday at the age of 84. "The Chicago Blackhawks are saddened by the passing of Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull, a superstar for our franchise between 1957 and 1972," the team said in a statement. "Hull is part of an elite group of players who made a historic impact on our hockey club. The Golden Jet helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup and delivered countless memories to our fans, whom he adored. Generations of Chicagoans were dazzled by Bobby's shooting prowess, skating skill and overall team leadership that led to 604 career goals, a franchise record that remains to this day. We send our deepest sympathies to the Hull family." A 1983 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Hull is Chicago's all-time leader in goals with 604. "When Bobby Hull wound up to take a slapshot, fans throughout the NHL rose to their feet in anticipation and opposing goaltenders braced themselves. During his prime, there was no more prolific goal-scorer in all of hockey," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "As gregarious a personality as he was explosive as a player, Hull was a true superstar and the face of the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the 1960s and early '70s. A five-time 50-goal scorer, he led the NHL in goal-scoring seven times, twice won the Hart Trophy as Most Valuable Player, was voted a First-Team All-Star on left wing 10 times, and won the Stanley Cup in 1961. His 604 goals as a Blackhawk are the most in franchise history. "The National Hockey League mourns the passing of one of its most iconic and distinctive Players. We send our deepest condolences to his son, fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Brett; the entire Hull family; and the countless fans around the hockey world who were fortunate enough to see him play or have since marveled at his exploits." Said Blackhawks chairmain Rocky Wirtz: "Bobby Hull will always be remembered as one of the greatest Blackhawks players of all time. He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family. When I assumed leadership of the organization upon my father's passing in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby to convince him to come back as an ambassador of the team. His connection to our fans was special and irreplaceable. On behalf of the entire Wirtz family, I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet. He will be missed." In 2017, during the NHL's Centennial celebration, Hull, along with his son and fellow Hockey Hall of Famer, Brett Hull, was named one of the League's 100 Greatest Players. The only father and son combination on the list, they appeared together in Los Angeles during the 100 Greatest Players ceremony. "That was the coolest thing, to be a part of it with my dad was something special," Brett Hull said then. Nicknamed "The Golden Jet" because of his blonde hair, blazing speed and a slap shot that was clocked at well over 100 mph coming off his curved stick, Bobby Hull made life miserable for opposing goalies. Hall of Fame goalie Gump Worsley once said after taking a shot to the face from Hull that the only reason he survived was because he was hit by the flat side of the puck rather than its edge. A shot off the top of his head from Hull prompted Cesare Maniago to begin wearing a face mask against the Blackhawks. "There are days when you just step aside and leave the door wide open," Blackhawks goalie Glenn Hallsaid in 1965 when asked about facing Hull in practice. "It is a simple matter of self-preservation." Hull was born Jan. 3, 1939, in Point Anne, Ontario, a small town about 120 miles northeast of Toronto. He was the fifth child in a family of 11 that included a brother, Dennis Hull, who later became a teammate in Chicago. By the time he was 11, Bobby Hull had caught the attention of Chicago chief scout Bob Wilson, who reached an agreement with Hull's father. Three years later, Hull was playing for Chicago's Junior B team in Hespeler, Ontario. After bouncing around four farm teams, Hull began to make his mark with St. Catharines of the Ontario Hockey Association before being called up to the Black Hawks (as they were known then) in 1957 for a preseason game against the New York Rangers when he was 18. Hull was one of a group of young players who helped the Black Hawks escape the doldrums after a stretch when they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs 11 times in 12 seasons between 1946-47 and 1957-58. He led NHL rookies with 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 70 games in 1957-58, then had 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 70 games in 1958-59, helping Chicago qualify for the playoffs after a five-season absence. He had a breakout season in 1959-60, leading the NHL with 81 points, and his 39 goals tied Bronco Horvath for the League lead. Hull dropped to 31 goals and 56 points in 1960-61, but he had 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Black Hawks win their first championship since 1938. Hull continued to fill the net for the rest of the 1960s. In 1961-62, he joined Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion as the only players to score 50 goals in a season. He set a single-season NHL record of 54 in 1965-66, the first of four consecutive seasons when he led the NHL in goals. That stretch was capped by a record-setting 58-goal performance in 1968-69. The Black Hawks moved to the West Division for the 1969-70 season, putting them with the six teams that had joined the NHL in the 1967 expansion. Though Hull dropped from 58 goals to 38, Chicago finished first in the West for the first of four consecutive seasons. Hull had 44 goals in 1970-71 and helped the Black Hawks reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens. He scored 50 goals for the fifth time in his career in 1971-72, but Chicago was swept in four games by the Rangers in the NHL Semifinals. By the summer of 1972, the 50-goal mark had been reached 11 times in NHL history; Hull accounted for five of them. At 33, Hull had scored 604 NHL goals and appeared to be in line to break Gordie Howe's all-time record at the time of 786. But that all changed in the summer of 1972, when Hull stunned the hockey world by signing a 10-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets of the new World Hockey Association. Hull was just as dangerous in the WHA. He scored 51 and 53 goals in his first two seasons, then played left wing on a line with Swedish forwards Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg in 1974-75 and finished with 77 goals in 78 games. Four WHA teams, including the Jets, joined the NHL in 1979-80, bringing Hull back to the League for two final seasons. He had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 27 games with the Jets and Hartford Whalers (where he and Howe were teammates). Hull sat out the 1980-81 season and went to training camp with the Rangers in the fall of 1981, but retired for good after playing five preseason games. He finished his NHL career with 610 goals and 1,170 points in 1,063 games, and 62 goals and 129 points in 119 playoff games. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in the NHL three times (1959-60, 1961-62, 1965-66), the Hart Trophy as most valuable player twice (1964-65, 1965-66) and the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play once (1964-65). Hull's No. 9 was retired by the Blackhawks in 1983, the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, but his relationship with the organization was cool for many years. It warmed Dec. 19, 2007, when then-team president John McDonough brought Hull and longtime teammate Stan Mikita back as ambassadors. "I'm overwhelmed to be part of the Chicago Blackhawks family again," Hull said at the time. "I've been away from Chicago for some 35 years, but Chicago was never out of my heart. It is truly time for me to come back to Chicago." Hull was a constant around the Blackhawks. He joined other alums in singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the third period of the 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, he and Brett Hull dropped the ceremonial puck at the 2017 Winter Classic at Busch Stadium and he joined Blackhawks Hall of Famers Denis Savard and Tony Esposito and the wife of the late Stan Mikita in taking part in pregame festivities on the ice at the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. On Feb. 21, 2022, the Blackhawks, saying the were redefining the role, announced Hull was no longer serving as a team ambassador. The announcement came six months after the death of Tony Esposito. Mikita died in 2018. On Oct. 22, 2011, statues of Hull and Mikita were unveiled outside United Center, accompanying the one that honors basketball legend Michael Jordan. Hull called it "without argument the greatest evening of my life," and said he was humbled and reflective of the honor. "Won't it be something for [people] to be able to come along when we're gone and say, 'These guys were a part of one of the greatest organizations in the world, the Chicago Blackhawks,'" he said. "And they played when hockey was hockey." Edited January 30, 2023 by NHL HHOF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 https://www.hhof.com/news/news.html HHOF NEWS BOBBY HULL January 3, 1939-January 30, 2023 The Hockey Hall of Fame and its members are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Honoured Member Bobby Hull. Through 15 seasons in Chicago that started in 1957, Hull won the Hart Trophy twice, led the NHL in scoring three times, scoring 50 or more goals in a season on five occasions. Hull helped the Black Hawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. In 1972, the ‘Golden Jet’ signed with the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association, giving instant credibility to the fledgling league. In the league’s seven-season existence, Hull was the WHA’s Most Valuable Player twice and led the Jets to the Avco Cup championship three times. After the WHA folded, Hull returned to the NHL for one final season. Through 1,063 regular season NHL games, Bobby Hull retired as the second-highest goal scorer (610) and ninth-leading point scorer (1,170) in NHL history and in another 411 regular season WHA games, was second in goals (303) and third in points (638). Bobby Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and his number 9 was retired by Chicago that same season. The Hockey Hall of Fame organization would like to extend its sincere condolences to the family of Bobby Hull. Click here to view his Honoured Member page. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER BOBBY HULL PASSES AWAY AT AGE 84 Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull has passed away at the age of 84. https://thehockeynews.com/news/hockey-hall-of-famer-bobby-hull-passes-away-at-age-84 Blackhawks and Jets legend, HOF forward Hull dead at 84 https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/chicago-blackhawks-legend-hof-forward-bobby-hull-dead-at-84-1.1912947 Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet, dies at age 84 https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35557785/hall-famer-bobby-hull-golden-jet-dies-age-84 Hockey Legend Bobby Hull Dies at 84 https://www.si.com/nhl/2023/01/30/hockey-legend-bobby-hull-dies-84-chicago-blackhawks-winnipeg-jets 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyer4ever Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Hockey lost another giant today. The great Bobby Hull has gone to hockey heaven. I can't explain it if you didn't see Bobby live in the Hawk uniform, he played with a passion and joy few have ever matched. He pissed off every zamboni driver in every rink he played in. He would stay on the ice after warm ups and sign every autograph that was asked for. Gone but never forgotten, and irreplaceable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimtown guy Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 One of my first hockey hero’s along with Mr. Hockey. I wore number 9 because it them 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucyJack Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 3 hours ago, Podein25 said: don't forget the magnifcent rug. Fortunately he got tagged “Jet” not “The Golden Rug” 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucyJack Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 (edited) I read all the article links and none of them explain his Manitoba connections prior to leaving Chicago for Winnipeg and the WHA in 1972. I was a kid who got to watch Hull play (on WGN channel 9) in his last few Blackhawk years (per my folks moving us to the Chicago area.). During between-period TV interviews, especially around the holidays, he’d several times say that he “was heading back to Winnipeg” during breaks in the hockey schedule. I had assumed way back then that he grew up there, but no, he’s from Ontario originally. My guess, unconfirmed per what I’ve found in web searches, is that his 2nd wife Joanne McKay must have hailed from there. I don’t think becoming a Winnipeg Jet was a random thing…he already had a connection to the place but I don’t know what exactly. Edited January 30, 2023 by SaucyJack 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Sad day for the NHL.... RIP Mr. Hull 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Bobby Hull, the first NHLer to score over 50 goals in a season, dies at 84 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bobby-hull-death-chicago-winnipeg-jets-nhl-1.6730592 Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion Bobby Hull has died at 84 https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/30/sport/bobby-hull-hockey-death-spt-intl/index.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icechipper Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Met him in blink of an eye when he was honored sometime in 80s at Winnipeg Arena. Scored seats next to home team bench, look down, and there's Bobby in his toupee. He winked and waved. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Of all the flaws Bobby Hull gets criticised for I have to say I admire him for his assaulting a police officer charge because most get that charged when they are actually getting beat up by the cops...not sure of the details of that case of course but nobodies perfect and perfection should not be the standard for admiring people anyways...rest in peace Bobby Hull a great hockey player... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR Ewing Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 2 hours ago, Villella McMeans said: Of all the flaws Bobby Hull gets criticised for I have to say I admire him for his assaulting a police officer charge because most get that charged when they are actually getting beat up by the cops...not sure of the details of that case of course but nobodies perfect and perfection should not be the standard for admiring people anyways...rest in peace Bobby Hull a great hockey player... In this case, Hull decked a cop who was there to stop him from beating on his wife. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucyJack Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) 15 hours ago, NHL HHOF said: Stanley Cup champion Bobby Hull has died at 84 The Stanley Cup part was of no consolation for kids like me watching a very good team in Hull’s final years with Chicago. 1961? Mmkay, what have you done for me lately lol. The culminating depression was losing game 7 of the Cup Final at Chicago Stadium in 1971 to Montreal thanks to Henri Richard’s mid-3rd tally…and to a good Canadiens team defense that thwarted furious Blackhawk attacks in the final ten minutes without taking any penalties. The depression lasted a good two days. Next year they moved Chicago to the expansion division and I started losing interest then they were swept by the good Tkaczuk / Gilbert / Hadfield / Park NY Strangers Lot and that started my decade of watching zero hockey except for the 1980 Miracle On Ice Olympics. So yeah, thanks a lawwwwt, Bobby Hull…kidding you tried… Edited January 31, 2023 by SaucyJack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) 29 minutes ago, SaucyJack said: The Stanley Cup part was of no consolation for kids like me watching a very good team in Hull’s final years with Chicago. 1961? Mmkay, what have you done for me lately lol. The culminating depression was losing game 7 of the Cup Final at Chicago Stadium in 1971 to Montreal thanks to Henri Richard’s mid-3rd tally…and to a good Canadiens team defense that thwarted furious Blackhawk attacks in the final ten minutes without taking any penalties. The depression lasted a good two days. Next year they moved Chicago to the expansion division and I started losing interest then they were swept by the good Tkaczuk / Gilbert / Hadfield / Park NY Strangers Lot and that started my decade of watching zero hockey except for the 1980 Miracle On Ice Olympics. So yeah, thanks a lawwwwt, Bobby Hull…kidding you tried… 60s became the decade of the leafs and habs. My wings became old and dysfunctional, the rags and bruins were as always hopeless, every year Chicago was supposed to be right in it, hull, mikita, hall, pilote, the other Hull. So much talent but every year the offense fell on its face in the playoffs and a worn down glen Hall would be bested by bower or vachon or sawchuk and a season of high hopes would end with a postseason thud. I am barely old enough to remember all that but I remember Phil Esposito, my mom's all time favorite player in the early 70s with Ken hodge on the wing both stolen from Chicago. Espi in his memoir said he learned more about goal scoring from Hull than anyone and even everyone else combined. But yeah, love your post, glad I am not the only old timer lol. Hey I kept faith in my dead things in the 70s and 80s, but sometimes it is easier to keep the faith with a loveable loser over a club that continually breaks your heart come playoffs. Ask any current leaf fan lol Edited January 31, 2023 by yave1964 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 (edited) ESPN Sports Century 100 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century ESPN.com: Top N. American athletes of the centuryhttps://www.espn.com/sportscentury/athletes.html Sports Century - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SportsCentury NHL (6) 01. # 5 – Wayne Gretzky 02. # 21 – Gordie Howe 03. # 31 – Bobby Orr 04. # 55 – Mario Lemieux 05. # 82 – Bobby Hull 06. # 85 – Maurice Richard Edited February 1, 2023 by NHL HHOF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHL HHOF Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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