West News Wire: Bobby Hull was difficult to stop once he had the puck. He had tremendous confidence, a strong slap shot, and breakneck speed.
The Golden Jet put on quite a spectacle even before the biggest stars of today skated.
Hull, a two-time NHL MVP and Hall of Fame winger who assisted the Chicago Blackhawks in winning the Stanley Cup in 1961, has passed away. He was 84.
Hull’s passing was reported by the Blackhawks and the NHL Alumni Association on Monday. Neither organization offered any additional information.
Hull “gave numerous memories to our fans, whom he adored,” according to the Blackhawks. Bobby’s shooting power, skating ability, and general team leadership wowed generations of Chicagoans and helped him score 604 goals in his career, a franchise record that remains to this day. We send our deepest sympathies to the Hull family.”
Hull was one of the most prolific forwards in NHL history, scoring 610 times during his 16-year career with Chicago, Hartford and Winnipeg. Nicknamed “The Golden Jet” for his speed and blond hair, he also collected 303 goals while playing for the Jets in the World Hockey Association for seven seasons.
While Hull starred on the ice, he faced legal and family issues in his personal life.
Hull was convicted of assaulting a police officer who intervened in a dispute with then-wife Deborah in 1986. He also was accused of battery, but that charge was dropped after Deborah told authorities she didn’t want to testify against her husband, a state attorney told the Chicago Tribune.
Hull’s second wife, Joanne, accused him of abuse during an interview with ESPN for a 2002 show.
A Russian newspaper reported in 1998 that Hull said Adolf Hitler “had some good ideas.” Hull denied making the comment, calling it “false and defamatory.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement called Hull “a true superstar with a gregarious personality.”
