Bobby Hull, an NHL Hall of Fame inductee and two-time MVP who won the Chicago Blackhawks and the 1961 Stanley Cup, suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died in 2023.
Researchers at the Boston University CTE Center discovered that Hull has Stage 2 CTE When he died. He was 84 years old. (Related: America needs to blow these losers out of the water as Canada’s Brandon Hagel moves his mouth.)
Over his past decade, Hal has suffered from impaired judgment and short-term memory loss. After his former teammate Stan Mikita faded near the end of his life, Hal decided to donate his brain.
“Looking at the pain and heartache that the family of his lifelong friend Stan Mikita suffered, Bobby strongly felt that no other family members needed to endure CTE,” he said, having been married for 39 years. His wife, Deborah Hull, said in an official statement. “He insisted on donating his brain.
Hockey Hall of Fame Bobby Hull received a posthumous stage 2 CTE diagnosis following his death in 2023. pic.twitter.com/aiwpo5u8eh
– TSN (@TSN_SPORTS) February 19, 2025
Hal, known as “Golden Jet,” after his blonde hair and speed, had an incredible career in the NHL as a 610-goal forward. He played for 16 years in Winnipeg, Hartford and Chicago.
Especially with the Blackhawks, he leads the franchise with the highest goal ever at 604. He scored 303 goals for the World Hockey Association with the Jets, where Hal played for seven years.
“We’ve been working hard to get the most out of our lives,” said Dr. Anne McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center.
“Retired players and their families are learning how to effectively treat symptoms, especially in middle age, so if you are worried about CTE, we recommend reaching out to help and care. ”
