A 12-time All-Star and two-time Hart Trophy winner, Hull played the first 15 seasons of his 23-year professional career with Chicago and helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup.
“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 among an elite group of players who have had a historic impact on our hockey club. The Golden Jet helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup and provided countless memories for our fans who adored it.
Generations of Chicagoans were dazzled by Bobby’s shooting, skating and team leadership that resulted in 604 career goals, a franchise record that still stands today. We offer our deepest condolences to the Hull family.” Nicknamed for his blonde hair and speed, Hull was also known for his wild slapshot, which was reportedly once clocked at 118 mph.
He led the NHL as top scorer three times and won back-to-back Hart trophies as league MVP in 1964-65 and 1965-66.
Hull was a two-time Gordie Howe Trophy (MVP) winner in the WHA and helped the Jets win the Avco Cup in 1976 and 1978.
“Bobby Hull will always be remembered as one of the greatest Blackhawks players of all time,” Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement.
“He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family. When I took over leadership of the organization after my father’s death in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby to convince him to return as the team’s ambassador. 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 1972, he left Chicago to join the World Hockey Association’s Winnipeg Jets as a player/coach, signing the first $1 million contract in the sport’s history.
The Ontario native retired after the 1979-80 season with 1,808 points (913 goals, 895 assists) in 1,474 games with Chicago (1957-72), Winnipeg (1972-80) and the Hartford Whalers (1980). He had 129 points in 119 Stanley Cup playoff games and had 80 points in 60 career WHA playoff games.
Hull’s No. 9 is retired by the Blackhawks and the Jets. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, where he was joined in 2009 by his son Brett.
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