Dennis Hull, the talented two-way forward who made a name for himself alongside his legendary brother Bobby Hull with the Chicago Blackhawks, has passed away at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by his brother Garry on Friday night, with nephew Bart Hull sharing the sad announcement on social media the following day. The Chicago Blackhawks also issued a heartfelt statement from owner Rocky Wirtz, mourning the loss of a franchise great.
Hull’s impressive career spanned 14 seasons in the NHL, with 13 of those spent in Chicago before concluding with a final year at the Detroit Red Wings. A fixture in the All-Star Game, he represented the league in five such contests and earned second-team NHL All-Star honors during the 1972-73 season. Wirtz praised Hull’s remarkable contributions to both the Blackhawks and the sport, highlighting his scoring prowess and consistency. “Dennis enjoyed a distinguished career built on his scoring ability and consistency, leaving lasting contributions not only to the Blackhawks franchise but to the game itself,” Wirtz remarked. He was well-known for his skill, toughness, and intelligence on the ice, as well as his sharp wit and humor that kept locker rooms lively.
In 1972, while Bobby Hull was unable to join Team Canada in the historic Summit Series against the Soviet Union due to commitments in the World Hockey Association, Dennis stepped up. He played a pivotal role, scoring two goals and adding two assists across four games, showcasing his talent alongside New York Rangers legends Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert.
Over his NHL career, Dennis Hull amassed 303 goals and 351 assists for a total of 654 points in 959 regular-season games. His playoff contributions were equally notable, with 67 points in 104 games, during a time when the Blackhawks consistently came close to capturing the elusive Stanley Cup. The hockey world continues to mourn his passing, following the earlier loss of his older brother Bobby Hull, the Hall of Famer known as the “Golden Jet,” who died in January 2023.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
