Dennis
Hull will readily admit to not being anything other than Bobby Hull’s
brother, as long as you add he’s the younger brother. And, he’s even
been known to answer to someone asking for Brett Hull’s uncle.
A
self-effacing brother and proud Uncle, Dennis himself, was known for his
powerful shot on net. Bobby once said of his younger brother, “When
Dennis is cranked up and lets go, there is no goalie who can stop the
shot except by luck and accident.”
Dennis
began his hockey career with the St. Catherines Black Hawks of the
Junior ‘A’ League where he played from 1961-1965. In 1965, he joined the
Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League where he played until
1976. He then spent one year with the Detroit Red Wings before retiring.
During
his National Hockey League career, Dennis scored 303 goals and had 351
assists in regular games. In 95 playoff games he scored 33 goals and had
the same number of assists. Six selections to the All Star team are
testament to his hockey skills. His biggest thrill in hockey was the
first game he played against his idol, Gordie Howe, but the most
significant time in his career came when he was selected to play for the
memorable Team Canada of 1972.
After
retiring from hockey, Dennis continued his education, graduating from
Brock University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Physical
Education. During the summers of 1978 to 1982 he was the Director of
Hockey, Sports Ridley. From 1980-1982, he taught history at Ridley
College and also assumed responsibility for their entire hockey program.
From
1982 until 1993 Dennis was the Athletic Director at a University in
Chicago. Also during that period he spent a few years as the color
commentator with the San Jose Sharks. Today Dennis combines his love for
farming, raising PureBred Polled Herefords at his farm just east of
Toronto with his numerous speaking engagements.
Gordie
and Colleen Howe, “Mr and Mrs. Hockey” quoted in Dennis’s book