Bobby Hull, the former Blackhawks star nicknamed the “Golden Jet” with a legacy tarnished by off-ice transgressions, has died.
He was 84 years old.
“Hull is part of an elite group of players who have had a historic impact on our hockey club,” the Hawks said in a statement Monday. “’The Golden Jet’ helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup and brought countless memories to our fans, whom he loved.
“Generations of Chicagoans have been blown away by Bobby’s shooting prowess, skating skills and overall team leadership. … We send our deepest condolences to the Hull family.
Hull remains the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer with 604 goals, racked up during a 15-year tenure with the team from 1957 to 1972.
His death comes less than a year, however, after the Hawks parted ways with him as a team ambassador.
A native of Point Anne, Ont., Hull became a star in his third season of 1959-60, scoring 39 goals and 81 points, and never looked back. He broke the 30-goal mark in 13 consecutive seasons and eclipsed the 50-goal mark five times, including a career-high 58 goals and 107 points in 1968-69.
He played a major role in the Hawks’ championship in 1961, finishing second on the team in regular season and playoff points. He received the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1965 and 1966.
His jump from the NHL to the World Hockey Association in 1972, signing with the Winnipeg Jets, gave the WHA its first moment of legitimacy. He had seven productive seasons with the Jets, then returned to the NHL in 1979 for a brief final season before retiring. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
But Hull’s history of inappropriate off-ice conduct – marred by widespread allegations of domestic abuse and racism – has long overshadowed his on-ice accomplishments.
Hull was convicted in 1987 of assaulting a police officer who intervened in an argument between Hull and his wife Deborah. A 2002 ESPN mini-documentary included his previous wife, Joanne, recounting a fight in which Hull beat her in the head with a steel-heeled shoe and then restrained her on a balcony in Hawaii.
Hull’s daughter Michelle, who became an advocate for abused women, also detailed Hull’s history of alcoholism in this documentary.
In 1997, a Russian publication quoted Hull praising Hitler for his “good ideas”, saying the black population was growing too fast and expressing support for genetic selection. Hull denied the comments and sued the post at the time.
Hull was nevertheless chosen in 2008 to become a team ambassador for the Hawks alongside Chris Chelios, Denis Savard and the late Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito. Three years later, the team erected a statue of Hull and Mikita along Madison Street outside the United Center.
Hull held that ambassadorial role until last season, when he and the Hawks “jointly agreed” that he “would step back from any official role with the team,” the team said in a statement. February 2022.
“When I took over the organization when my father passed away in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby and convince him to return as a team ambassador,” said the Hawks president Rocky Wirtz in a statement Monday. “His connection with our fans was special and irreplaceable. On behalf of the entire Wirtz family, I offer you our deepest condolences.
Hull’s son, Brett, actually surpassed his father’s stats during his own hugely successful NHL career from 1987 to 2006. He’s the Blues’ all-time leading scorer.
Bobby Hull (left) meets Blackhawks fans in 1959.
Bobby Hull (left) celebrates the Blackhawks Stanley Cup title in 1961.
Bobby Hull is introduced at the 2016 Blackhawks Convention.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rick Ley (2) takes a hit on a sail puck with Chicago Black Hawks left wing Bobby Hull chasing him in 1971.
| PA
Bobby Hull. the Black Hawks scoring sensation, is given a photo of a whole pumpkin to nibble on by police officer John Lamonica to publicize the fact that a pie company is donating 100 pies for every Hawk goal to the police fund for the needy.
| Sun-Times file photo
3-6-08 United Center — Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull speak to the media at a press conference where the two talked about the good old days and returning to the Blackhawks family.
| Sun-Times file photo
(L-R) Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull talks to current Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews during the 2009 NHL Winter Classic press conference on July 22, 2008 at Wrigley Field in Chicago , Ill.
| Getty Images
4-12-08 Wrigley Field…..Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull drives to the park in a semi-trailer truck carrying the refrigeration system that will allow the Hawks to play outside on New Years Day.
| Sun-Times file photo
4-12-08 Wrigley Field…..Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull drives to the park in a semi-trailer truck carrying the refrigeration system that will allow the Hawks to play outside on New Years Day.
| Sun-Times file photo
1-1-2009—Winter Classic—Blackhawks vs. Red Wings—Former Hawk Bobby Hull chats with Ryne Sandberg before the game.
| Sun-Times file photo
Former Chicago Blackhawks great Bobby Hull waves to fans at a rally in downtown Chicago, Friday, June 11, 2010, for this year’s Stanley Cup hockey championship win over the Philadelphia Flyers . Hull played on the Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup-winning team in 1961.
| PA
10-8-10 Blackhawks president John McDonough, Hall of Fame player and “Blackhawks ambassador” Bobby Hull, his wife Debbie Hull and owner Rocky Wirtz show off his Stanley Cup championship ring after having it received in a ceremony at the United Center.
| Sun-Times file photo
10-8-10 Hall of Fame players and ‘Blackhawks ambassadors’ Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard show off their Stanley Cup championship rings after receiving them in a ceremony at the United Center friday. Owner Rocky Wirtz and Ex. Vice President Jay Blunk look on from the back.
| Sun-Times file photo
10-8-10 Hall of Fame player and “Blackhawks ambassador” Bobby Hull shows off his Stanley Cup championship ring after receiving it in a ceremony at the United Center.
| Sun-Times file photo
10-9-10 United Center. 1901 W. Madiosn Street. Chicago, Ill. “Chicago Blackhawks Banner Night Red Carpet Opening Night” Two Blackhawks Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita wave to fans.
| Sun-Times file photo
12-15-2010—Former Blackhawk great Bobby Hull and his 11-year-old Charles Finch of Make-A-Wish Foundation meet at the Goodman Theater where the two make an appearance in Goodman’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol” as Townspeople Bobby Hull presents Charles Finch with an autographed Blackhawk jersey before the show.
| Sun-Times file photo
Bobby Hull is introduced. The Chicago Blackhawks convention opening ceremony kicks off at the Chicago Hilton and Towers on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Chicago.
| Sun-Times file photo
Bobby Hull shakes hands with Stan Mikita. The Chicago Blackhawks convention opening ceremony kicks off at the Chicago Hilton and Towers on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Chicago.
| Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Blackhawk Hall-of Famers, Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard and Tony Esposito are on hand for Game 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, April 19 2012 at the United Center in Chicago.
| Sun-Times file photo
Bobby Hull and the Stan Mikita statue outside the United Center before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, between the Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild. Thursday, May 9, 2013.
| Sun-Times file photo
Former Chicago Blackhawks player Bobby Hull waves to the crowd at the Blackhawks Victory Day Parade and Rally on June 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
| Getty
Former player and Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks greets fans during a “red carpet” event before the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center on 5 October 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
by 
