Bobby Hull, Blackhawks' All-Time Leading Scorer, Dies At 84

CHICAGO — Bobby Hull, the Chicago Blackhawks' all-time leading scorer known as the "Golden Jet," died on Monday, according to the NHL Alumni Association. He was 84.

Hull, who, along with Stan Mikita led the Hawks to the 1961 Stanley Cup title, tallied 610 goals during his NHL career, and became the first player to tally 50 goals in a season when he finished the 1966 campaign with 54 goals. No details of Hull’s death were available on Monday, but the Daily Herald reported that he died early Monday morning, citing two sources, before the Alumni Association announced the former star's death on social media.

The Hawks formally announced Hull's death on Monday a couple of hours after the Daily Herald reported that Hull had passed. The team called Hull "part of an elite group of players who made a historic impact on our hockey club."

The statement continued: "The Golden Jet helped the Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup and delivered countless memories to our fans, whom he adored. Generations of Chicagoans were dazzled by Bobby’s shooting prowess, skating skill and overall team leadership that led to 604 career goals, a franchise record that remains to this day."

In a social media post Monday morning, the NHL Alumni Association said it was saddened to learn of Hull's passing. In addition to spending 15 years with the Blackhawks, Hull became a player/coach for the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association before attempting two comebacks in the NHL. He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 1983.

Hull served as a team ambassador for the Hawks, although the team stripped him of that title before last season when the Daily Herald reported he was notified of the team’s decision by phone.

The Hawks later said that they had “redefined” the role and speaking of Hull, the Hawks said the two sides “jointly agreed” that he would retire from any official team role. In addition to the team's statement, Chairman Rocky Wirtz offered condolences to the family on the passing of Hull, who had a falling out with Witz's father before Hull mended fences with Rocky Wirtz when he took over leadership of the franchise.

“Bobby Hull will always be remembered as one of the greatest Blackhawks players of all time. He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family," Wirtz said in a statement. "When I assumed leadership of the organization upon my father’s passing in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby to convince him to come back as an ambassador of the team. His connection to our fans was special and irreplaceable. On behalf of the entire Wirtz family, I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet. He will be missed.”

Hull was also linked to other controversies, including once reportedly being quoted by a Russian newspaper as saying that Hitler had some good ideas. Hull was also twice accused by former spouses of abusing them, according to published reports. Hull was convicted of assaulting a police officer who responded to a report involving Hull's then-wife Deborah in 1986.

Hull also was accused of battery, but that charge was dropped after Deborah told authorities she didn't want to testify against her husband, prosecutors told the Chicago Tribune at the time.

Hull tallied at least 30 goals for 13 straight NHL seasons. Hull ranks third in points scored in team history behind Mikita and Patrick Kane and is one of only 20 NHL players to ever score at least 600 goals in their career.