As early as age 10, Robert Marvin (Bobby) Hull was being tagged as a sure-fire NHL player -- and he didn't disappoint the experts. 

Born on Jan. 3, 1939, in Pointe Anne, Ontario, Hull progressed rapidly through minor hockey ranks and joined the Chicago Black Hawks to stay in the 1957-58 season. Although he didn't invent the slapshot, Bobby's blistering drives made many goalies cower. Hull led the NHL in goals scored in seven different seasons. He had blazing speed on the ice, and unerring accuracy with the slapshot that many tried to copy but few mastered during his era.

In 16 NHL seasons, Hull scored 610 goals and added 560 assists in regular season play, plus 129 points (62 goals and 67 assists) during the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Among his numerous NHL achievements were: first to score 50 or more goals in a season more than once (six times); winner of the Ross Trophy three times; Lady Byng Trophy once; and Hart Trophy twice. He was awarded the Patrick Trophy in 1969 for his outstanding contribution to hockey in the U.S. Hull also dominated All-Star selections, being named ten times to the 1st NHL All-Star Team and twice to the Second Team. 

His blond good looks and sparkling charisma earned him the nickname "The Golden Jet." Oddly enough, Hull would sign with the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. Hull became hockey's first millionaire, and the WHA gained instant credibility. He starred for years with Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. The NHL was furious with his WHA signing and tried legal action to block the move, and then punished Hull by leaving him off of the 1972 Summit Series Team Canada squad. And ironically, it was Winnipeg that opened up the wallets and started handing out big contracts in an effort to lure some of the games top players. Ironic because Winnipeg would lose the NHL version of the Jets in 1996 because they couldn't compete economically.

Hull was hockey's faster skater (28.3 mph withe puck, 29.7 without it) and had the hardest shot (once recorded at 118.3 mph, some 35 mph above the league average). He was Hockey's ultimate hockey player, blending together the talents of his most famed predecessors - the speed of Howie Morenz, the goal scoring prowress of Maurice Richard, the strength and control of Gordie Howe.

His longtime teammate, Stan Mikita, once remarked: "To say that Bobby is a great hockey player is to labor the point. He was all of that of course. But the thing I admired about him was the way he handled people. He always enjoyed signing autographs for fans and was a genuine nice guy."

Bobby Hull was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1983.