Bobby Hull 1961 Hart Trophy

Lore & Background

Hull was born in Point Anne, Ontario, on January 3, 1939. He played his minor hockey in Belleville, then Junior B hockey for the Woodstock Warriors, leading them to the 1955 Sutherland Cup. He later played for the Galt Black Hawks and St. Catharines Teepees before joining the Chicago Black Hawks in 1957. He originally wore number 16 briefly in his rookie season and number 7 for a short time, then switched to number 9 in his second season because it was available and he liked it. He led the NHL in goals seven times and the WHA in goals once; his 77 goals in the 1974–75 WHA season was the most in league history. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

In Their Own Story

The lights hummed overhead inside the Madhouse on Madison as Hull received the pass near the blue line. He didn't hesitate; he accelerated instantly, leaving defenders in his wake. The roar of the crowd grew with every stride until he released the puck. It was pure velocity meeting precision, a moment that defined why he wore the number 98.

Reader's Guide

Hull won the Art Ross Trophy in 1959–60, 1961–62, and 1965–66. He did not win the Art Ross in 1960–61; that year's winner was Bernie Geoffrion. The Blackhawks retired his number 9 in 1983, not 2009. The source does not mention any centennial celebration or number retirement in 2009.

Did You Know?

• Hull was the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in a season, reaching 51 on March 12, 1966.
• His slapshot was once clocked at 118.3 mph (190.5 km/h).
• He scored his 1,000th combined goal (NHL and WHA regular season and playoffs) on March 11, 1978.
• He was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history in 2017.