On today’s date in 1939, Robert “Bobby” Hull was born in Point Anne, Ont.
After starting to skate at the age of thee, Hull went to become one of the greatest goal scorers in National Hockey League (NHL) history. At the age of 18, he joined the Chicago Blackhawks for the 1957-58 season. Two seasons later, he netted 39 goals and 81 points to lead the NHL.
In 1961, he helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. The following season was his first 50-goal effort – only the third player to do so – and in 1965-66, he became the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in a season, something he achieved four more times.
During this time, he became known as the “Golden Jet,” owing to his skating speed – nearly 50 km/h – and his booming slapshot, one of which was measured at nearly 190 km/h.
Hull increased his single-season record to 58 goals in 1968-69 as he topped the NHL’s scoring for the fourth consecutive season.
After netting another 50 goals and 93 points in 1971-72, he became the first NHL star to sign with the World Hockey Association (WHA), which was another professional league that competed with the NHL from 1972-79.
When the WHA folded in 1979, Hull returned to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, who were among four teams to join that league.
After the 1979-80 season, Hull retired with 610 NHL goals – 604 with the Blackhawks – and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
BOBBY HULL STAMP
In 2001, Hull was one of six Canadian hockey legends to be commemorated on a 47-cent stamp accompanied by a label.
Issued to mark the 2001 All-Star weekend in February 2001, the Canada Post set included Hull as well as Jean Béliveau, Terry Sawchuk, Eddie Shore, Denis Potvin and Syl Apps.