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The Devil and Bobby Hull: How Hockey's Original Million-Dollar Man Became the Game's Lost Legend
An award-winning writer sets the record straight on hockey's forgotten golden boy—Bobby Hull In his prime, few could dispute Bobby Hull's athletic brilliance—the first to have five 50-goal seasons, the highest scorer on the 1976 Canada Cup team, the first to use the slapshot as a scoring weapon, and the first hockey player to sign a million-dollar contract. With his body-builder torso, and his 100 mph volleys across a rink, the world of hockey glory was his to lose. And he did. With his publicized marital troubles and his defection from the NHL to the WHA, Hull's star began to fall, leaving him broke and in exile from the game. In The Devil and Bobby Hull, this once great hockey player and pioneer is finally given his due. Not only are Hull's remarkable on-ice achievements finally put in perspective, so, too, are his achievements off the rink—including endorsements for a wide array of products (rare for an NHL player) and his appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated a record four times. And the book details how Hull's battle with the owners of the Chicago Blackhawks—challenging the reserve clause in his contract, a move that enabled him to move to the WHA—helped other players follow him. A candid look at one of hockey's most gifted and controversial figures, The Devil and Bobby Hull tells the story of his extraordinary career and life—and why this remarkable man has not faded into oblivion.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 22, 2013
I don't get it. I finished the book wondering what the author was trying to achieve. Right up front he makes the comment that there are only people of a certain age that will remember Bobby Hull, so the audience is limited for a book about him. I understood that this was going to be a critical analysis of Hull, and that it was going to deal with some of his off-ice issues. In my estimation, he goes too far with the negatives. I agree that there is no excuse for abusing your spouse, but as he points out, his wife could have left, much earlier than she did. There are other sections, where he talks about Hull remembering in detail games from the 1960's, but then he devotes a chapter to his failing memory (Hull was in his 70's and drinking throughout the interview), because he couldn't remember the name of a celebrity television show that he participated in once.
I remember Bobby Hull in his Chicago years. I was a devoted Montreal fan growing up, and remember the epic fights he had with John Ferguson. And I remember his slap shot. And how every kid on the block was trying to curve their blades. 100+ mph! and with a wooden stick.
And I remember seeing him in person. He would exhibit his cattle at a country fair in the town I went to High School in. I remember seeing him pick up a calf in his to arms and put it in the truck. I remember thinking that he had to be the strongest man I had ever seen. With the calf safely stowed, he turned to us and said "So do you kids play hockey?" He talked to us, signed autographs, and was the greatest ambassador for the sport that anyone could hope for.
The book does cover the highlights of his career, and makes a good case for Hull being, perhaps, a greater player than he is often given credit for being. He could have made a difference in the 1972 summit, and the author does credit him for changing the way players are paid, and embracing the open style that Europeans played, long before that style was accepted in North America. But overall, I left the book feeling somewhat dirty; like I had to put the book away and go wash my hands. I don't think there was a good balance.
Several years ago, when Brett Hull was at his peak, Bobby Hull was a speaker at an event in northern Ontario. A friend of mine was taking his son to his pee-wee hockey game and saw Hull walking through the arena. He told his sone to go up to him and ask him for an autograph. His son went up to Hull and said "My dad said I should ask you for your autograph. Who are you?" Without missing a beat, Hull said "I'm Brett Hull's father." Then he signed his stick and talked to the boy about working hard and he could play in the NHL. There was no ego, he put it in terms the boy could understand. He didn't talk about the great Bobby Hull, he talked about the game.
I know that Hull was a conflicted individual, and like a lot of great athletes, his personal life wasn't great. But the Hull I remember was a great player, and one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport. That was covered in the book, but it certainly wasn't the feeling I had when I finished it.
I remember Bobby Hull in his Chicago years. I was a devoted Montreal fan growing up, and remember the epic fights he had with John Ferguson. And I remember his slap shot. And how every kid on the block was trying to curve their blades. 100+ mph! and with a wooden stick.
And I remember seeing him in person. He would exhibit his cattle at a country fair in the town I went to High School in. I remember seeing him pick up a calf in his to arms and put it in the truck. I remember thinking that he had to be the strongest man I had ever seen. With the calf safely stowed, he turned to us and said "So do you kids play hockey?" He talked to us, signed autographs, and was the greatest ambassador for the sport that anyone could hope for.
The book does cover the highlights of his career, and makes a good case for Hull being, perhaps, a greater player than he is often given credit for being. He could have made a difference in the 1972 summit, and the author does credit him for changing the way players are paid, and embracing the open style that Europeans played, long before that style was accepted in North America. But overall, I left the book feeling somewhat dirty; like I had to put the book away and go wash my hands. I don't think there was a good balance.
Several years ago, when Brett Hull was at his peak, Bobby Hull was a speaker at an event in northern Ontario. A friend of mine was taking his son to his pee-wee hockey game and saw Hull walking through the arena. He told his sone to go up to him and ask him for an autograph. His son went up to Hull and said "My dad said I should ask you for your autograph. Who are you?" Without missing a beat, Hull said "I'm Brett Hull's father." Then he signed his stick and talked to the boy about working hard and he could play in the NHL. There was no ego, he put it in terms the boy could understand. He didn't talk about the great Bobby Hull, he talked about the game.
I know that Hull was a conflicted individual, and like a lot of great athletes, his personal life wasn't great. But the Hull I remember was a great player, and one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport. That was covered in the book, but it certainly wasn't the feeling I had when I finished it.
January 20, 2018
Bobby Hull was arguably the best NHL hockey player during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. He scored more than 50 goals several times during that decade and was nicknamed “The Golden Jet” for his flowing locks (until they started receding) while he skated up the ice.
In 1971, he and his Chicago Blackhawks came oh-so-close to winning the Stanley Cup. He played one more season in Chicago before he signed a contract worth one million dollars with the Winnipeg Jets of the brand new World Hockey Association (WHA). While the signing gave the new league instant credibility and Hull newfound riches, it also marked a significant change in how his career would be viewed by the NHL. This biography by Gare Joyce is an interesting look at Hull’s career and personal life as well, using information mostly gathered during a long interview with Hull at a restaurant owned by Wayne Gretzky.
I believe the book paints a balanced picture of Hull for both his hockey career and his personal life and reputation. The latter took a beating during his 1980 divorce trial from his wife, with whom he had five children including a son who was also proficient at scoring goals in the NHL, Brett Hull. By the time of the divorce, Hull had been released by the Hartford Whalers, another team from the original WHA along with Hull’s old team in Winnipeg, who had released him earlier that season. The story told in the book paints a broken but determined man who is going to give the sport one last chance, despite the fact the sport had basically frozen him out after jumping from the NHL to the WHA.
This is the other dark cloud of the book – Hull’s personal rift with Bob Wirtz and Harold Ballard. These two men were owners of the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs respectively and he felt they were the big reason he signed with Winnipeg. The reader will hear mostly from Hull’s side of this war, but the author does a decent job of not taking sides and writing about this fairly.
If a reader wants to learn more about Hull the player, this book does a very good job or providing that information as well. The best hockey scene in the book comes at the beginning when the final game of the 1971 Stanley Cup finals is relived in painful detail (to Hull and Blackhawk fans) when the Montreal Canadiens won the game and Cup. There is also some good writing about his days in Winnipeg, especially when the Jets signed Swedish players Kent Nilsson and Anders Hedberg to play on the same line as Hull. They produced some of the best hockey played in the short life of the WHA before four of the league’s teams, including Hull’s Jets, were merged with the NHL.
The audio version of the book was capably narrated by Bernard Clark with the exception of some mispronounced names. Fortunately these are few and far between and are not people that play a major role in the book. His narration helped me envision what was taking place on the ice and also made the dark parts of Hull’s life, such as the divorce and revelations of his spousal abuse toward his wife, seem even worse than mere written words would do.
This book paints a good picture of Hull’s life, warts and all, that a reader who is not familiar with him will get a balanced look at his life and career. Those readers who remember him and were big fans may not like the negatives written but to me these were needed to paint the complete picture.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
In 1971, he and his Chicago Blackhawks came oh-so-close to winning the Stanley Cup. He played one more season in Chicago before he signed a contract worth one million dollars with the Winnipeg Jets of the brand new World Hockey Association (WHA). While the signing gave the new league instant credibility and Hull newfound riches, it also marked a significant change in how his career would be viewed by the NHL. This biography by Gare Joyce is an interesting look at Hull’s career and personal life as well, using information mostly gathered during a long interview with Hull at a restaurant owned by Wayne Gretzky.
I believe the book paints a balanced picture of Hull for both his hockey career and his personal life and reputation. The latter took a beating during his 1980 divorce trial from his wife, with whom he had five children including a son who was also proficient at scoring goals in the NHL, Brett Hull. By the time of the divorce, Hull had been released by the Hartford Whalers, another team from the original WHA along with Hull’s old team in Winnipeg, who had released him earlier that season. The story told in the book paints a broken but determined man who is going to give the sport one last chance, despite the fact the sport had basically frozen him out after jumping from the NHL to the WHA.
This is the other dark cloud of the book – Hull’s personal rift with Bob Wirtz and Harold Ballard. These two men were owners of the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs respectively and he felt they were the big reason he signed with Winnipeg. The reader will hear mostly from Hull’s side of this war, but the author does a decent job of not taking sides and writing about this fairly.
If a reader wants to learn more about Hull the player, this book does a very good job or providing that information as well. The best hockey scene in the book comes at the beginning when the final game of the 1971 Stanley Cup finals is relived in painful detail (to Hull and Blackhawk fans) when the Montreal Canadiens won the game and Cup. There is also some good writing about his days in Winnipeg, especially when the Jets signed Swedish players Kent Nilsson and Anders Hedberg to play on the same line as Hull. They produced some of the best hockey played in the short life of the WHA before four of the league’s teams, including Hull’s Jets, were merged with the NHL.
The audio version of the book was capably narrated by Bernard Clark with the exception of some mispronounced names. Fortunately these are few and far between and are not people that play a major role in the book. His narration helped me envision what was taking place on the ice and also made the dark parts of Hull’s life, such as the divorce and revelations of his spousal abuse toward his wife, seem even worse than mere written words would do.
This book paints a good picture of Hull’s life, warts and all, that a reader who is not familiar with him will get a balanced look at his life and career. Those readers who remember him and were big fans may not like the negatives written but to me these were needed to paint the complete picture.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
October 31, 2021
At first I was outraged and ready to give this a rating of 1 star, inflamed by the comparison of Bobby Hull to LeBron James’ ego bringing his talents to Miami! Bobby Hull changed the glorious and most honorable game of hockey in so many ways, mostly by opening the door for players to be paid what the deserved, but also for that old-time glamor, the speed game, the farm boy awe shucks training, the curved stick producing the SLAPSHOT!, and the spreading of the game to all those WHA cities.
But after reading more and more, I found Gare Joyce’s insights and anecdotes so instructive in helping understand this complex Canadian Hero, and the reasons for his fall from grace. Gare Joyce’s measured telling of the story and stories is both balanced and so interesting, with behind scenes perspectives offered from the children, the nannies, the lawyers, and others who were sometimes shattered by the Golden Jet’s sonic boom personality. Joyce examines the possibility of CTE damage and rather than just assuming it to be so, as trendiness would like, he offers other opinions from those close to Hull. What was well measured and fair was the talk of the divorce and relationship with Winnipeg. It wasn’t at all salacious as I thought it could have been. A little protective, but also hinting strongly towards the nature and degree of marital infidelities.
I loved reliving the games that I grew up watching on TV, or getting to see in person in Winnipeg. The people are familiar from the judges to the team owners, so that aspect was particularly appealing to read about. So from a first period down by 4 goals, to an overtime victory, Gare Joyce scored a big time comeback, telling the tale, the legend, the Odyssey of one of Canada’s greatest hockey heroes in the complexity that it deserves!… He Shoots, He Scores, eh!
But after reading more and more, I found Gare Joyce’s insights and anecdotes so instructive in helping understand this complex Canadian Hero, and the reasons for his fall from grace. Gare Joyce’s measured telling of the story and stories is both balanced and so interesting, with behind scenes perspectives offered from the children, the nannies, the lawyers, and others who were sometimes shattered by the Golden Jet’s sonic boom personality. Joyce examines the possibility of CTE damage and rather than just assuming it to be so, as trendiness would like, he offers other opinions from those close to Hull. What was well measured and fair was the talk of the divorce and relationship with Winnipeg. It wasn’t at all salacious as I thought it could have been. A little protective, but also hinting strongly towards the nature and degree of marital infidelities.
I loved reliving the games that I grew up watching on TV, or getting to see in person in Winnipeg. The people are familiar from the judges to the team owners, so that aspect was particularly appealing to read about. So from a first period down by 4 goals, to an overtime victory, Gare Joyce scored a big time comeback, telling the tale, the legend, the Odyssey of one of Canada’s greatest hockey heroes in the complexity that it deserves!… He Shoots, He Scores, eh!
February 13, 2023
This is an incredible narrative of one of hockey’s greatest players and a fascinating time during the evolution of the NHL in the face of competition from an upstart league. Joyce takes you right back there with incredible research. His writing is wonderful.
WARNING
The audiobook book is an absolute disgrace. Zero effort or research pronunciation of some of the greatest players in the game like Rocket Richard. There are dozens and dozens of names messed up — it is grating to the ear. Even the Boston Celtics name is screwed up. Honestly, i have no idea how Audible could release this and sell it. It’s so unprofessional.
WARNING
The audiobook book is an absolute disgrace. Zero effort or research pronunciation of some of the greatest players in the game like Rocket Richard. There are dozens and dozens of names messed up — it is grating to the ear. Even the Boston Celtics name is screwed up. Honestly, i have no idea how Audible could release this and sell it. It’s so unprofessional.
September 13, 2020
Good read!
Takes me back to the good old days of Hockey. The WHA and many stars of the Old NHL! Recommend for any Hockey fan.
Takes me back to the good old days of Hockey. The WHA and many stars of the Old NHL! Recommend for any Hockey fan.
October 7, 2020
I enjoyed the book. The story of an on ice hero but an honest look at the fraud man off the ice.
August 22, 2022
Very revealing book on a sports hero whose feet were made of clay.
I remember reading Hockey is My Game in 1968, but don’t recall ever seeing Hull actually play
I remember reading Hockey is My Game in 1968, but don’t recall ever seeing Hull actually play
August 5, 2024
Great book and the later stages of Bobby Hull’s career. Well written and accessible. Decent read when the hockey season is in full swing!
March 6, 2025
A balanced portrait of Hull that juxtaposes his on ice exploits against his darker issues (I.e. spousal abuse).
December 24, 2025
Interesting look at Hull’s career, both on the Black Hawks, and his jump to the Jets to get the WHA going
March 20, 2017
A cautionary tale blended well with soulful, riveting sports writing. You feel bad for Bobby Hull but realize he made his own bed.
February 20, 2025
Review for The Devil and Bobby Hull can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
July 12, 2012
The Golden Jet. The First Million Dollar Pro Athlete. Legendary Chicago Black Hawk. Hockey fans on both sides of the border will sing the praises of Bobby Hull’s impact on how the game is played and the way he played it. From his Stanley Cup winning team with the Black Hawks to the Jets’ Hot Line of Hedberg-Hull-Nillson, the lore surrounding Bobby Hull will live on in the minds of fans as well as the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Devil and Bobby Hull contains some of the more infamous details of the Hull legend where Gare Joyce fills in the blanks for many fans. The book’s jacket will tell you that it “details the decline and fall of this legendary star and the damage, some of it self-inflicted, to his legacy.” Fortunately for readers, Joyce did not fall into the obvious trap and fill the pages of the book with sensational tabloid fodder...
Read the rest of my review at The Hockey Writers.
The Devil and Bobby Hull contains some of the more infamous details of the Hull legend where Gare Joyce fills in the blanks for many fans. The book’s jacket will tell you that it “details the decline and fall of this legendary star and the damage, some of it self-inflicted, to his legacy.” Fortunately for readers, Joyce did not fall into the obvious trap and fill the pages of the book with sensational tabloid fodder...
Read the rest of my review at The Hockey Writers.
December 27, 2014
Ordinary sports writing at best. However, it reminded me of professional hockey watershed events that I hadn't considered in years, like the exclusion of Hull from the 1972 Summit Series and the impact he had on salaries. However, not enough attention (e.g., not any) paid to the classic January 3, 1971 game at the Aud when the Black Hawks defeated the Sabres 5-3. It was the Golden Jet's birthday and he scored two goals. Four guys from Lake City, PA delivered a birthday cake to Bobby between periods and after the game he brought his teammates, including brother Dennis, Stan Mikita, Gerry Desjardins and Chico Maki, to meet the celebrants. Several days later each of the four received a personally written and signed thank you photo post card. Fundamentally, a classy man. Unlike every other sports star, however, he was not perfect every day in every way.
July 3, 2012
More character study than biography, which is a welcome change from the usual sports fare. The prose is occasionally a tad pretentious (when it's trying to be portentous, I guess). The author stops a tad too often to underline Bobby Hull's skill level, I suppose because his thesis is that Hull should be mentioned in the same breath as Howe, Richard, Orr, and Gretzky. Funny, I thought he already was. But the book contends Hull is a forgotten superstar, and if that's true, this solid portrait may help a new generation of fans understand Hull's place in the game.
July 14, 2013
A good book to really explain where hockey was as a sport when Bobby and Stan played.
Bobby hull may have had character faults but he is responsible for the advancement of where hockey is today and the salaries.
Also was good in depth of how Wirtz used Bobby for his own means. He was a jerk Thank God for Rocky Wirtz in bringing back Bobby and the others to help make the Hawks better as a family today.
Bobby hull may have had character faults but he is responsible for the advancement of where hockey is today and the salaries.
Also was good in depth of how Wirtz used Bobby for his own means. He was a jerk Thank God for Rocky Wirtz in bringing back Bobby and the others to help make the Hawks better as a family today.
May 1, 2016
A book about Hull's impact on the game and on professional sports and also about the impact he could have had if more people had been paying attention. Not a biography but certainly an exploration of his personal life Frankly, it's not very well written but definitely of interest to any fan of the game. The book sheds a lot of light on arguably the most important decade in the development of hockey as we know it today.
December 11, 2011
the author made two mistakes: He said Gretzky hoisted 5 cups while it was only 4. He also said that Belleville in 1959 was the last canadian amateur team to win the world championships but it was the Trail SmokeEaters in 1961. other than that, I didn't like the author's writing style.
May 25, 2012
Not a bad book, by any means, but it's all stories we've heard before. I had hoped they would delve deeper into Hull's life. For what, exactly, I don't know. But I finished this book feeling vaguely disappointed.
May 18, 2015
A great look into what Bobby Hull went through as he made the jump to the WHA and showing who he truly was in the tough situation that he was put in (and that he put himself in). No wonder the NHL doesn't like to recognize him (although Chicago is fine with it).
January 4, 2012
a must read for hockey fans.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews