Bobby Hull, the former Blackhawks star nicknamed “The Golden Jet” who was tarnished by off-ice abuse, has died.
He was 84.
“Hull is part of a group of players who have made a historic impact on our hockey club,” the Hawks said in a statement on Monday. “The ‘Golden Jet’ helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup and provided countless memories for our fans, who loved them.
“The Chicagoans were impressed with Bobby’s shooting skills, 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 during his 15 years with the team from 1957 to 1972.
His death comes less than a year later, however, after the Hawks parted ways with him as team ambassador.
A native of Point Ann, Ontario, Hall emerged as a star in 1959-60 with 39 goals and 81 points in his third season and never looked back. He broke the 30-goal mark in 13 straight seasons and topped the 50-goal mark five times, including a career-best 58 goals and 107 points in 1968-69.
He played a major role in the Hawks’ championship in 1961, where the team finished second in the regular season and playoffs. He was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP in both 1965 and 1966.
In the year In 1972, he signed with the Winnipeg Jets from the NHL to the World Hockey Association, providing the WHA with its first legitimacy. He spent seven productive seasons with the Jets, then returned to the NHL in 1979 for a short final season with them before retiring. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
But Howell’s history of inappropriate behavior off the ice — marked by widespread allegations of domestic abuse and racism — has long overshadowed his achievements on the ice.
Hull was charged in 1987 with assaulting a police officer who intervened in an altercation between Hull and his girlfriend at the time, Deborah. In the year In 2002, a mini-documentary aired by ESPN, including his ex-wife Joanne, recounted Hall’s beating of her head with a metal stiletto and then killing her on a balcony in Hawaii.
Hall’s daughter Michelle, who is an advocate for female abuse victims, detailed Hall’s history of alcoholism in that documentary.
In the year In 1997, a Russian publication hailed Hitler’s “good ideas,” said the black population was growing too fast, and advocated genetic reproduction. Hull denied the comments and sued the publication at the time.
However, in 2008 Hull was chosen to be the Hawks team ambassador along with Chris Chelios, Denise Savard and the late. Stan Mikita And Tony Esposito. Three years later, the group erected a statue of Howell and Mikita on Madison Avenue outside the United Center.
Hall held that ambassadorial role until last season, when he and the Hawks mutually agreed that he would “retire from any official team role” with the team. He said in a February 2022 statement..
“When I took over the leadership of the organization after my father passed away in 2007, one of my priorities was to meet with Bobby and convince him to return as an ambassador for the team,” Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement Monday. “The relationship with our fans was unique and irreplaceable. My condolences on behalf of the entire Wirtz family.”
Hall’s son Brett surpassed his father’s stats during his most successful NHL career from 1987 to 2006. He is the Blues’ all-time leading goalscorer.
Bobby Hull (left) meets Blackhawks fans in 1959.
Bobby Hull (left) celebrates the Blackhawks’ 1961 Stanley Cup.
Bobby Hull performs at the 2016 Blackhawks Convention.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Rick Lay (2) sweeps against Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bobby Hall in 1971.
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Bobby Hull. The Black Hawks’ goal-scoring sensation was given a full pumpkin image by police officer John Lamonica to punctuate the fact that a pie company is donating 100 pies to the police fund for every Hawk goal.
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3-6-08 United Center – Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull talk to the media at a press conference where the two talk about the old days and being part of the Blackhawks family again.
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(LR) Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull with current Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews during the NHL Winter Classic 2009 press conference on July 22, 2008 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.
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12-4-08 Wrigley Field…..Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull rides into the park in a semi-trailer carrying the cooling system that allows the Falcons to play outdoors on New Year’s Day.
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12-4-08 Wrigley Field…..Former Blackhawks star Bobby Hull rides into the park in a semi-trailer carrying the cooling system that allows the Falcons to play outdoors on New Year’s Day.
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1-1-2009—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 waves to fans during a rally in downtown Chicago on Friday, June 11, 2010, after the team beat the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Stanley Cup hockey championship. Hall played on the Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup winning team in 1961.
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10-8-10 Blackhawks President John McDonough, legendary player and “Blackhawks Ambassador” Bobby Hull, wife Debbie Hull and owner Rocky Wirtz pose after receiving their Stanley Cup championship rings at the United Center.
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10-8-10 Legendary players and “Blackhawks ambassadors” Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Dennis Savard show off their Stanley Cup championship rings after receiving them in a ceremony at the United Center Friday. Owner Rocky Wirtz and X. VP Jay Blunk watches from behind.
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10-8-10 Hall of Famer and “Blackhawks Ambassador” Bobby Hull shows off his Stanley Cup championship ring after receiving it at the United Center.
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10-9-10 United Center. 1901 W Madison Street. Chicago, Illinois “Red Carpet Opening Night Chicago Blackhawks Banner Night” Two Blackhawks Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita greet the fans.
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12-15-2010—Former Blackhawk great Bobby Hull and 11-year-old wish boy Charles Finch from the Make-A-Wish Foundation met at the Goodman Theater and both appeared in Goodman’s production of “Walking.” A Christmas Carol” as Townspeople. Bobby Hull presented Charles Finch with an autographed Blackhawk jersey before the show.
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Bobby Hull introduced. The Chicago Blackhawks’ convention opener will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Chicago at the Chicago Hilton & Towers.
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Bobby Hull shakes hands with Stan Mikita. The Chicago Blackhawks’ convention opener will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Chicago at the Chicago Hilton & Towers.
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Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Dennis Savard and Tony Esposito in Game 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Final. Center in Chicago.
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Statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita outside the United Center before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, between the Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild. Thursday, May 9, 2013
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In the year Chicago Blackhawks former player Bobby Hull salutes the crowd during the Blackhawks victory parade and rally on June 28, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Former Chicago Blackhawks player and Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull during the “Red Carpet” event during the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center on October 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
