Bobby Hull 'enjoyed every high-sticking minute' of play against Gordie Howe

NHL Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe passed away last week, and one of his contemporaries on the ice is remembering some of the moments he and Mr. Hockey shared over the years.

Former Winnipeg Jet Bobby Hull is in Winnipeg this week to give back to the community who helped shape him into one of the best players in the history of professional hockey in North America.​

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Howe played for 33 years over six decades, winning multiple NHL Championships with the Detroit Red Wings. He died Friday in Ohio at the age of 88 after a series of strokes and other health issues in recent years.

Hull said he was sad to see Howe, one of his "role models" and an important ambassador to the game, pass away.

"Doesn't make you feel good to see one of your boyhood idols like that at the end," Hull said.

Back when then the Winnipeg Jets were still in the World Hockey Association, Hull signed an unprecedented $1-million contract that also saw the 5-foot-11 left-winger take home an additional $250,000 a year as a player. Prior to making the leap to the WHA in Winnipeg, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL.

Hull remembers playing a game in Detroit with the Blackhawks where he was unexpectedly called up to say a few words about Howe, who had retired a short time earlier.

At the end of the first period, the Blackhawks' general manager approached Hull and told him he would be asked to play a part in a brief ceremony honouring Howe.

"I said, 'Will I have to say anything?' Because I had my three front teeth in my shirt pocket and a big roll of Wrigley's [gum] in my mouth. They said, 'No you won't have to say anything.'"

'Congratulations to Gordie'

Hull was called upon to say something after all.

"I skated over to the mic and offered congratulations to Gordie," he said. "I said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I've played against this guy for likely 15 years and I enjoyed every high-sticking minute of it.'"

Getting an assist, goal and dropping the gloves famously became known as a "Gordie Howe" hat trick, based on Howe's tough yet well-rounded style of play.

In the junior leagues, Hull said he always heard about how tough Howe was. One of the first times they played against each other, they both got two-minute penalties for "staring at one another," Hull said.

"When we got to the penalty box he opened the door and stood aside and let me in and I thought to myself, 'Well this guy isn't that tough, he isn't that bad,'" Hull said.

"When the penalty was over, he opened the door and out he went, and when I went to follow him out, he slammed the door on me. I found out then that he was playing the game for keeps. He's been a fantastic role model for anyone that's watched the game over the years and we're glad to see he isn't suffering anymore.

Hull had a couple different jersey numbers through his career, but eventually switched to the No. 9 in homage to Howe.

Hull was in Winnipeg for The Bobby Hull Foundation for Children's annual charity golf tournament.

Hull, Dale Wiese (Chicago Blackhawks), Winnipeg-native Nigel Dawes of the KHL and Travis Brown with the St. John's Ice Caps all paid kids in isolation a visit Monday at the Children's Hospital.

All proceeds from the tournament go to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

Bobby Hull visits the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg

8 years ago

Duration 0:58

Bobby Hull gives back to the community that made him famous with a visit to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg