Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull, nicknamed ‘Golden Jet’ and a legacy scarred by on-ice misconduct, has died.
he was 84 years old.
In a statement Monday, the Hawks said, “Hull is part of an elite group of players who have made a historic impact on our hockey club. The ‘Golden Jet’ helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup. , has delivered countless memories to his adored fans.
“Generations of Chicagoans were captivated by Bobby’s shooting prowess, his skating skills, and the leadership of the entire team…. My heart goes out to the Hull family.”
Hull holds the all-time scoring record in Hawks history with 604 goals accumulated during his 15-year tenure with the team from 1957 to 1972.
However, his death came less than a year after the Hawks parted ways with him as team ambassador.
A native of Point Ann, Ontario, Hull rose to stardom in his third season in 1959-60, scoring 39 goals and 81 points and never looked back. He broke his 30-goal rise in his 13th consecutive season and surpassed his 50-goal mark five times, including a career-high 58 goals and his 107 points in 1968-69.
He played a key role in the Hawks’ 1961 championship, scoring in both the regular season and playoffs to finish second on the team. was awarded.
His move from the NHL to the World Hockey Association in 1972 and signing with the Winnipeg Jets gave the WHA its first legitimacy. He returned to the NHL in 1979 for a brief final season before his retirement after seven fruitful seasons with the Jets. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
But Hal’s history of inappropriate off-ice behavior, marked by rampant allegations of domestic violence and racism, has long overshadowed his on-ice accomplishments.
Hal was convicted in 1987 of assaulting a police officer who intervened in an argument between Hal and then-wife Deborah. A mini-her documentary by ESPN in 2002 included his ex-wife Joanne, who Hal hit her over the head with her steel-heeled shoes and held her off a balcony in Hawaii. talking about the battle of
Hal’s daughter, Michelle, who became an attorney for women abuse victims, also detailed Hal’s history of alcoholism in the documentary.
In 1997, a Russian publication quoted Hull praising Hitler for his “good ideas”, claimed that the black population was growing rapidly, and expressed support for genetic breeding. and sued the publication at the time.
Hull was nevertheless named the Hawks’ team ambassador in 2008, along with Chris Chelios, Dennis Savard and the deceased. Stan Mikita When Tony EspositoThree years later, the team erected a statue of Haru and Mikita on Madison Street outside the United Center.
Hull held an ambassador role until last season, when he and the Hawks “jointly agreed” to “retire from an official team role.” said in a February 2022 statement.
“When my father passed away in 2007 and took over leadership of the organization, one of my top priorities was meeting Bobby and persuading him to return as the team’s ambassador,” Hawks chairman Rocky Wertz said in a statement Monday. “His connection with his fans has been special and irreplaceable. On behalf of the entire Wertz family, we offer our deepest condolences.”
Hull’s son, Brett, actually surpassed his father’s stats for his NHL career from 1987-2006.
Bobby Hull (left) meets a Blackhawks fan in 1959.
Bobby Hull (left) celebrates the Blackhawks’ 1961 Stanley Cup title.
Bobby Hull was introduced at the 2016 Blackhawks convention.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rick Ray (2) thumps the sailing pack in 1971 as the Chicago Blackhawks hotly pursue wing Bobby Hull.
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Bobby Hull. The Blackhawks’ scoring sensation was the fact that police officer John Lamonica ate an entire picture of a pumpkin and for every Hawk goal the pie company gives 100 pies to police funds for the poor. announce.
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3-6-08 United Center – Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull spoke to the media at a press conference, where they talked about the old days and being part of the Blackhawks family again.
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(LR) Current Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toes speak with Hockey Hall’s Bobby Hull during the NHL Winter Classic 2009 press conference at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on July 22, 2008. I’m here.
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12-4-08 Wrigley Field….. Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull heads to the park in a semi-trailer truck equipped with a refrigeration system that will allow the Hawks to play outside on New Year’s Day.
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12-4-08 Wrigley Field….. Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull heads to the park in a semi-trailer truck equipped with a refrigeration system that will allow the Hawks to play outside on New Year’s Day.
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January 1, 2009 — Winter Classic — Blackhawks vs. Red Wings — Former Hawk Bobby Hull chats with Ryne Sandberg before the game.
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Former Chicago Blackhawks great Bobby Hull hands out to fans during a rally in downtown Chicago for the team’s Stanley Cup hockey championship in their victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, June 11, 2010. waving Hull played for the Blackhawks’ final Stanley Cup-winning team in 1961.
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10-8-10 Blackhawks President John McDonagh, Hall of Famer and “Blackhawks Ambassador” Bobby Hull, wife Debbie Hull and owner Rocky Werts pose for Stanley in a ceremony at the United Center. After receiving the Cup championship ring, I showed it off.
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10-8-10 Hall of Famers and “Blackhawks Ambassadors” Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Dennis Savard after receiving their Stanley Cup championship rings at a ceremony at the United Center on Friday. , showed it off. Owner Rocky Wertz and Ex. Vice President Jay Blank are watching from behind.
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10-8-10 Hall of Famer and “Blackhawks Ambassador” Bobby Hull showed off his Stanley Cup championship ring after receiving it during a ceremony at the United Center.
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10-9-10 United Center. 1901 West Madiosun Street. Chicago, Illinois. “Red Carpet Opening Night Chicago Blackhawks Banner Night” The Blackhawks’ Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita both greet fans.
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December 15, 2010 — Former Blackhawk great Bobby Hull and 11-year-old Charles Finch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wish Child, meet at the Goodman Theater to perform Goodman’s production A Christmas Carol as a townsfolk. Bobby Hull presents Charles Finch with a signed Blackhawk jersey before the show.
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Bobby Hull appears. The Chicago Blackhawks Convention Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers in Chicago.
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Bobby Hull shakes hands with Stan Mikita. The Chicago Blackhawks Convention Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers in Chicago.
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Chicago Blackhawk Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Dennis Savard and Tony Esposito in Round 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, April 19, 2012 as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Phoenix Coyotes at United. go to war. Chicago is the center.
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Statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita outside the United Center before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoff between the Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild. Thursday, May 9, 2013.
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Former Chicago Blackhawks player Bobby Hull waves to the crowd during the Blackhawks’ Victory Parade and Rally on June 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks greets fans before the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on October 5, 2017.