Hockey HOFer Bobby Hull Dies at Age 84; Blackhawks' All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull has died at age 84, the NHL Alumni Association announced Monday:

Hull spent 16 seasons in the NHL along with seven years in the World Hockey Association. He is best known for his 15 years with the Chicago Blackhawks from 1957 to 1972 and ranks as the team's all-time leading scorer with 604 goals.

"We send our deepest condolences to Bobby's family, friends, former teammates and Blackhawks organization during this very difficult time," the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement.

The Canadian burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old in 1957-58, playing every game for the Blackhawks. He helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1961.

He earned 12 NHL All-Star selections and won the Art Ross Trophy three times as the league's top point scorer and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player.

In 1972, Hull made the move to the newly created WHA as a player-coach with the Winnipeg Jets, winning two more MVP awards and two titles.

His 303 goals rank second in the seven-year history of the WHA, while his 610 NHL goals stand 18th all-time. The forward also had 560 assists across his NHL career.

Three years after his retirement, Hull was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 alongside longtime Chicago teammate Stan Mikita.

His legacy continued with his son Brett Hull, who had his own Hall of Fame career with 741 goals, fifth-most all-time, and two Stanley Cup titles.

Bobby Hull also earned numerous negative headlines outside hockey, including for allegations of domestic assault and a conviction for assaulting a police officer. He reportedly praised Adolf Hitler in a 1998 interview but denied the comments. Last February, the Blackhawks announced he would no longer serve as a team ambassador.