'The Golden Jet' Bobby Hull was the most feared goal scorer of the 1960's and 1970's and arguably the greatest left wing to ever play professional hockey. Along with teammate Stan Mikita, Hull made the Chicago Blackhawks one of the NHLs true offensive powerhouses. He and Mikita were the first NHL players to use curved stick blades, which made his already wicked slapshot even more difficult to stop. This was a very significant development in pro hockey, and now its rare to find a player that plays with the flat stick blade that was once commonplace before Hull and Mikita's revolutionary modification.
Born in rural Belleville, Ontario Hull rose quickly through the ranks of junior hockey and by the time he was 18 had joined the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. He was a very effective rookie, and by his third year in the league was leading the NHL in scoring. In 1961, he played an important role in the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship victory.
Hull made history in 1966 by becoming the first player to score more than 50 goals in a season. His 51st goal surpassed Montreal Canadiens' legends Bernie Boom Boom Geoffrion and Maurice Rocket Richard and earned him a 7 minute standing ovation from the home crowd at Chicago Stadium.
Hulls tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks ended in 1972, when he jumped to the upstart World Hockey Association (WHA). Hull signed for an at the time unprecedented $1,000,000 signing bonus. Initially, Hulls response that he would jump ship for a million bucks was an offhanded joke but when the WHA ownership agreed to contribute to that sum thinking that it would provide instant credibility for the league it became a reality.
In the WHA, Hull was quickly back to his old tricks. On a line with Swedish superstars Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg called The Hot Line, he led the Jets to two league championship AVCO Cup victories. In 1977, he set a new professional hockey record with 77 goals in a season which surpassed Phil Espositos 1970-71 mark of 76 by a single goal.
Injuries and chronic knee trouble would finally spell the end to Hull's career in the WHA's final season of 1979-80. He would briefly attempt a comeback with the New York Rangers in 1981, but when he proved ineffective in preseason eventually retired for good.
Modern fans may be more familiar with Hulls third son, Brett Hull, who earned NHL superstar status in his own right. The Hulls are the only father/son combination to ever score 50 goals in an NHL season. Brett Hull wore his dads retired #9 in the final games, and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Hull is now 70 years old and splits his time between the Toronto area and Chicago where he serves as a PR ambassador for the Blackhawks organization. He is expected to formally induct his son into the Hall of Fame at the ceremonies later this summer.
Born in rural Belleville, Ontario Hull rose quickly through the ranks of junior hockey and by the time he was 18 had joined the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. He was a very effective rookie, and by his third year in the league was leading the NHL in scoring. In 1961, he played an important role in the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship victory.
Hull made history in 1966 by becoming the first player to score more than 50 goals in a season. His 51st goal surpassed Montreal Canadiens' legends Bernie Boom Boom Geoffrion and Maurice Rocket Richard and earned him a 7 minute standing ovation from the home crowd at Chicago Stadium.
Hulls tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks ended in 1972, when he jumped to the upstart World Hockey Association (WHA). Hull signed for an at the time unprecedented $1,000,000 signing bonus. Initially, Hulls response that he would jump ship for a million bucks was an offhanded joke but when the WHA ownership agreed to contribute to that sum thinking that it would provide instant credibility for the league it became a reality.
In the WHA, Hull was quickly back to his old tricks. On a line with Swedish superstars Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg called The Hot Line, he led the Jets to two league championship AVCO Cup victories. In 1977, he set a new professional hockey record with 77 goals in a season which surpassed Phil Espositos 1970-71 mark of 76 by a single goal.
Injuries and chronic knee trouble would finally spell the end to Hull's career in the WHA's final season of 1979-80. He would briefly attempt a comeback with the New York Rangers in 1981, but when he proved ineffective in preseason eventually retired for good.
Modern fans may be more familiar with Hulls third son, Brett Hull, who earned NHL superstar status in his own right. The Hulls are the only father/son combination to ever score 50 goals in an NHL season. Brett Hull wore his dads retired #9 in the final games, and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Hull is now 70 years old and splits his time between the Toronto area and Chicago where he serves as a PR ambassador for the Blackhawks organization. He is expected to formally induct his son into the Hall of Fame at the ceremonies later this summer.
About the Author:
Ross Everett is a freelance writer specialing in hockey, sports betting and fight sports including boxing and mixed martial arts. He is a well known expert on how to successfully bet on UFC fights, as well as a creative consultant for a number of casinos, sports books and other clients. He will be hosting a hockey themed streaming audio podcast starting in late 2009.
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