Bobby Hull: Cause of death| Wife| CTE

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, renowned as ‘The Golden Jet’ for his blazing speed, powerful hits, and prolific goal-scoring, was confirmed to have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death in 2023, his family revealed. Hull, a two-time NHL MVP and Stanley Cup champion, dominated the ice for over two decades, primarily with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1960s and ’70s.

The diagnosis was confirmed through post-mortem brain tissue analysis conducted by the Boston University CTE Center, following the donation of his brain by his family. The results were shared Wednesday by Hull’s wife via the Concussion Legacy Foundation, which aims to raise awareness about the long-term impact of repetitive head trauma in hockey and to promote further research into the condition.

Wife

“Witnessing the pain and heartbreak endured by the family of his lifelong friend Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull felt a deep responsibility to ensure no other family would face the same struggle with CTE,” said Deborah Hull, his wife of 39 years, in a statement. “He was determined to donate his brain, believing it was his duty to contribute to the advancement of research on this devastating disease.”

CTE

Chicago Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull has been posthumously diagnosed with stage 2 CTE, his widow, Deborah Hull, revealed Wednesday, adding his name to a growing list of former NHL stars affected by the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.

Hull, who passed away at age 84 on January 30, 2023, chose to donate his brain to Boston University’s CTE Center after witnessing the heartbreaking decline of his former Blackhawks teammate and close friend, Stan Mikita, who died in 2018. Hull hoped his contribution would advance research and help protect future generations of hockey players from the devastating effects of CTE.