- Longtime Chicago Blackhawks left winger Dennis Hull has died at 81
- Spent 13 seasons in Chicago, finished with 303 goals and 654 points in 959 NHL games
- Read below for the Blackhawks’ tribute and a look at Hull’s 1972 Summit Series moment
Longtime Chicago Blackhawks left winger Dennis Hull has died at the age of 81, the team announced Saturday night. Hull spent 13 seasons in Chicago between 1964 and 1977 and was part of one of the most beloved eras in franchise history.
The Blackhawks shared the news on behalf of the Wirtz family:
Dennis was the younger brother of Hall of Famer Bobby Hull and the uncle of Brett Hull. He played most of his career in the shadow of the “Golden Jet,” but he carved out a quality 14-year NHL run, finishing with 303 goals and 654 points in 959 games. He made five NHL All-Star Games and helped Chicago reach three Stanley Cup Finals, though the Cup itself always slipped away.
His best year came in 1972-73, when he piled up 90 points, earned second-team All-Star honors, and led all skaters with 15 assists during Chicago’s run to the Final.
Hull’s most enduring moment, though, didn’t happen in a Blackhawks sweater. It came with Team Canada at the 1972 Summit Series.
He almost wasn’t there. Dennis initially planned to boycott the series after Canada left Bobby off the roster for jumping to the WHA. His older brother talked him into going. Once there, Dennis slotted onto the “Goal A Game” line with Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert and chipped in two goals and four points across four appearances as Canada took the series.
Catch Hull looking back at the Summit on its 50th anniversary:
In Blackhawks history, Hull sits seventh in goals (298), eighth in points (640), and 10th in games played (904). He shared the ice in Chicago with Bobby for eight seasons before his brother bolted for the Winnipeg Jets in 1972. Dennis stayed loyal to Chicago through the rest of his prime and wrapped up his career with a single season in Detroit in 1976-77.
After hanging up the skates at 33, Hull lived a fairly quiet life away from the rink. He served as Athletic Director at the Illinois Institute of Technology and popped up on the occasional broadcast. His sharp wit and easy storytelling stayed with him long after the playing days ended.
The hockey world has lost another legend just days after Claude Lemieux passed away at 60.
We at Gino Hard send our condolences to Hull’s family, friends, and the entire Blackhawks community.
