Bobby Hull's Birthday

Robert Marvin Hull was born January 3, 1939 in Pointe Anne, Ontario, Canada and is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Nicknamed "The Golden Jet" Bobby Hull led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1961 - their third ever and first in almost 30 years. Although he originally wore number 16 then wore number 7 when the Hawks won the cup he later switched to number 9 considered the prestige number in hockey. Bobby Hull was famous for the speed and accuracy of his 120 mph slapshot that many others would soon try to imitate. Hull was able to have such a fast slapshot because he and his teammate Stan Mikita were the first NHL players to curve the blades of their sticks. The curved blade allows the shooter to remain in contact with the puck for a longer period of time and increase the force behind the shot. Although only about 5'10 in stature, Bobby has a solid body build and had a playing weight of about 185 pounds. He played a hard, fast, skilled game matched by few others in the history of the sport. In 1966 he became the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in one season earning a 7-minute standing ovation for his 51st goal. He played 23 professional seasons in hockey from 1957 to 1980 scoring 672 goals.

I grew up watching Bobby Hull play hockey.