Hockey legend Bobby Hull, known as the Golden Jet because of his blonde hair and fast skating, has died, according to a statement from the NHL Alumni Association issued on Monday morning. He was 84 years old.
Hull is the all-time leading scorer for the Chicago Black Hawks, amassing more than 600 goals in his 15-year career, ESPN reported. He was a 12-time All-Star and two-time Hart Trophy winner.
“Bobby Hull will always be remembered as one of the greatest Black Hawks players of all time,” Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. “He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family.”
“When I assumed leadership of the organization upon my father’s passing in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby to convince him to come back as an ambassador of the team,” Wirtz added. “His connection to our fans was special and irreplaceable. On behalf of the entire Wirtz family, I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet. He will be missed.”
Hull’s NHL career, which began in 1957, included a Stanley Cup championship in 1961.
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. He would go on to play 15 seasons with the team, one season with Winnipeg, and another with Hartford, amounting.. pic.twitter.com/pOIioAgwd4
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) January 30, 2023
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement that Hull was a “true superstar with a gregarious personality.”
“When Bobby Hull wound up to take a slapshot, fans throughout the NHL rose to their feet in anticipation and opposing goaltenders braced themselves,” Bettman said. “During his prime, there was no more prolific goal-scorer in all of hockey. … We send our deepest condolences to his son, fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Brett; the entire Hull family; and the countless fans around the hockey world who were fortunate enough to see him play or have since marveled at his exploits.”
Hull was named to the the League’s list of its top 100 players of all time in 2017 along with his son, fellow NHL hall of famer Brett Hull. They are the only father-son duo on the list.
“That was the coolest thing, to be a part of it with my dad was something special,” Brett Hull said at the time.
Born on January 3, 1939, in Ontario, Canada, Hull was the fifth child in a family of 11, according to the NHL. He was a talented hockey player early on in life and caught the attention of a professional scout when he was only 11 years old. He started played in his first NHL game for the Black Hawks when he was only 18 years old.
