Bobby Hull dead: NHL legend dies at 84

POLICE OFFICER RESIGNS AFTER SUPERIORS SUSPEND HIM FOR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE BELIEFS

“The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Bobby Hull has passed away at the age of 84. Bobby began his NHL career with the @NHLBlackhawks in 1957,” the statement read. “He would go on to play 15 seasons with the team, one season with Winnipeg, and another with Hartford, amounting to 1,063 regular-season games.”

“Hull was a driven player who always gave fans a memorable experience at every game and brought them to their feet. In his retirement, ‘The Golden Jet’ was never in a rush to sign every autograph as an ambassador for the Blackhawks, one of his [favorite] accomplishments.”

Born on Jan. 3 ,1939, in Ontario Canada, Hull entered the NHL at 18-years-old.

Shining in his early years, Hull led the NHL in goals and points scored by this third season.

In 1961, he guided the Blackhawks to their third Stanley Cup win, the team’s first in 23 years.

“Bobby was a 3x Art Ross Trophy winner, Lester Patrick Trophy winner, 2x Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner, Stanley Cup Champion, Hockey Hall of Famer, and one of the @NHL’s 100 Greatest Players,” the alumni association said.

“We send our deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, friends, former teammates, and Blackhawks organization during this very difficult time.”

Hull’s impact on the game of hockey cannot be understated.

He became the first player in NHL history to score more than 50 goals in a single season, which did five times in his career, and the first to sign a $1 million contract.

Hull also one of the few players in the league’s history to have a rule inspired by him.

The “Bobby Hull rule” banned players curving the blades of their sticks into what many called “banana blades.”

Curving the blade of a hockey stick put goalies, few of whom wore face masks during Hull’s time in the league, at risk, and the “Bobby Hull rule” set the initial limits on blade curvature.

A 10-time first team All-Star and two time second team All-Star, Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, and he was the inaugural member of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.

Hull finished his NHL career with 610 goals, 560 assists, and 640 penalty minutes in 1,063 games.

“The Chicago Blackhawks are saddend by the passing of Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull a superstar for our franchise between 1957 and 1972,” the Blackhawks said in a statement. “Hull is part of an elite group of players who made a historic impact on our hockey club. The Golden Jet helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley cup and delivered countless memories to our fans, whom he adored.”

“Generations of Chicagoans were dazzled by Bobby’s shooting prowess, skating skill and overall team leadership that led to 604 career goals, a franchise record that remains to this day. We send our deepest sympathies to the Hull family.

Off the ice, Hull has faced multiple legal battles. In 1986, he was convicted of assaulting a police office during a domestic violence incident, and two of his wives accused him of abuse.

In 1998 a Russian newspaper accused Hull of stating that Adolf Hitler “had some good ideas,” an allegation Hull called “false and defamatory.”

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Hull is remembered by his five children, including fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Brett Hull.