Chicago Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Fame member Bobby Hull has been posthumously diagnosed with CTE, the brain disorder linked to repetitive head trauma in contact sports.
Hull’s widow, Deborah Hull, and Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE center, confirmed that he had stage 2 (of four) CTE when he died at age 84 on Jan. 30, 2023.
The two-time Hart Trophy winner and 12-time All-Star is the 17th known former NHL player and third member of the Hall of Fame (Henri Richard, Stan Mikita) to test positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to the Boston-based Concussion Legacy Foundation.
“Seeing the pain and heartache suffered by his lifetime friend Stan Mikita’s family, Bobby felt strongly no other family should have to endure CTE,” Deborah Hull said in a statement. “He insisted on donating his brain, feeling as though it was his duty to help advance research on this agonizing disease.”
According to her statement, Hull struggled with short-term memory loss, impaired judgment and other cognitive symptoms of CTE during the last decade of his life.
Known as “The Golden Jet” for his speed and blond hair, Hull recorded 1,170 points (610 goals, 560 assists) across 1,063 games with the Chicago, Winnipeg and Hartford franchises from 1957-80. He won the 1961 Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks.
CTE can only be diagnosed through a posthumous examination of the brain. Hundreds of former NFL players have been diagnosed, including Frank Gifford, Ken Stabler, Junior Seau and Aaron Hernandez.
