R.I.P. Bobby Hull (3 January 1939 - 30 January 2023)

[Foxhound]

So very sad. Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet, has passed away. He was my favourite hockey player when I was a kid.

He was without peer in his prime. Enormously strong, he was both the fastest skater and had the fastest shot in the NHL throughout at least the 1960's. He won the scoring championship for the first time at the age of 21 in the 1959-60 season. He went on to tie the record for 50 goals in a season in 1961-62 and then shattered it with 54 goals in 1965-66 and 58 goals in 1968-69. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring champion three times in 1960, 1962 and 1966. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 1965 and 1966. He made the NHL's First All-Star Team at left wing in 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1972.

His 604 goal total was second only to Gordie Howe's 786 when he shocked the sports world in the summer of 1972 by signing for $1 million with the Winnipeg Jets of the upstart World Hockey Association for whom he went on to score another 301 goals over the next six seasons. While as a Chicago Blackhawk fan I was appalled and saddened when he signed with the Jets, in retrospect Winnipeg, Edmonton and Québec would never have gotten NHL franchises without his signing and probably neither would Calgary. The NHL would likely have evolved into just another sports league completely dominated by American interests.

















So sad losing my childhood favourite athlete the same month as my all time favourite guitarist, Jeff Beck.

[Foxhound]

Bobby Hull had become known for his blonde locks early in his career but by the time he approached thirty years of age his hairline was in full recession. While watching a Blackhawks game with me on TV circa 1970, my very old school father's remarked "I just can't bear seeing him wearing that wig". Thing is though my father was speaking Lithuanian and the word for "wig" in Lithuanian has a very feminine sound and therefore the whole concept of wearing a wig is very effeminate. I had to laugh. The memory still brings a smile to my face to this very day.

[AngeloV]

Don’t really want to speak ill of the dead, but I can’t shed a tear for a wife beater that said Hitler had some good ideas but just went a little too far. Hull was a horrible human being.

[Foxhound]

Hull was a horrible human being.

Frankly Scarlet I don't give a damn.

I don't look at professional athletes, i.e. those who play a little boys' game for the entertainment of others, as role models. In fact that would be about the last place I'd look all things considered. I celebrate plumbers, mechanics and hockey players on essentially the same basis - the job they do and the price they charge for doing the job.

[argolio]

Frankly Scarlet I don't give a damn.

I don't look at professional athletes, i.e. those who play a little boys' game for the entertainment of others, as role models. In fact that would be about the last place I'd look all things considered. I celebrate plumbers, mechanics and hockey players on essentially the same basis - the job they do and the price they charge for doing the job.

If it was revealed that my plumber repeatedly abused multiple wives, I'd get a new plumber immediately.

Try giving a damn.

[Argo57]

If it was revealed that my plumber repeatedly abused multiple wives, I'd get a new plumber immediately.

Try giving a damn.

Well said!!

[Foxhound]

Try giving a damn.

No. I think I'll pass. I already have more international and domestic concerns on my plate than my blood pressure can handle. I walk around seething with anger more often than is good for me as it is.

If any of you are truly serious about this particular issue though, I do have a couple of suggestions to reduce the incidence of spousal abuse by 99%:

1. Don't drink. Alcohol consumption is the major contributing factor.
2. Don't get married/involved with women. You'll be richer that way anyway.

[Foxhound]

Well said!!

Let's just say that I'm not so easily impressed.



Hopefully though you follow my advice and stay off the sauce.

[AngeloV]

Frankly Scarlet I don't give a damn.

I don't look at professional athletes, i.e. those who play a little boys' game for the entertainment of others, as role models. In fact that would be about the last place I'd look all things considered. I celebrate plumbers, mechanics and hockey players on essentially the same basis - the job they do and the price they charge for doing the job.

Oh Sorry. I guess unless A post is about stupid fantasy sports it doesn’t matter to you. I have a huge problem with people that sensationalize bad people because they were good at sports. I’m sure you have the same opinion of Ray Rice that you do of Mr Phoney Permasmile.

[Foxhound]

Oh Sorry. I guess unless A post is about stupid fantasy sports it doesn’t matter to you.

Some do, some don't. But ask me nicely and I suppose I can give yours "special" status.

But speaking of Fantasy I can understand your envy. Most people aren't as good with numbers as I am.

it doesn’t matter to you. I have a huge problem with people....

On that point we're in full agreement. I have a huge problem with people as well, particularly some....

I have a huge problem with people that sensationalize....

"Sensationalize"! High praise indeed for a write-up that I didn't think was among my better ones. But I'm glad you gave it such high marks anyway.

...bad people because they were good at sports.

Bobby Hull I'm sure was no angel. Like most people he had virtues as well as flaws. But to me he was first and foremost a hockey player and I judge him accordingly.

I’m sure you have the same opinion of Ray Rice....

Ray Price? Let me Google the name. Oh! Sorry. You'll have to go elsewhere for an opinion. I don't do NFL.

...that you do of Mr Phoney Permasmile.

Well you're right on that point anyway. Bobby Hull doesn't have the equipment for a good smile:



He'd be well advised to try another field.