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The Third Best Hull
Everyone knows about Bobby Hull, but not everyone remembers that his brother Dennis also was a hockey star in his own right and in this book, the other Hull outlines his life in hockey with humorous anecdotes and stories. Hockey legend Gordie Howe once said there were two superstars in the Hull Bobby, the Golden Jet, one of the greatest players ever to tie up a pair of skates for the Chicago Blackhawks, and his brother Dennis, who had a solid career with the Chicago Blackhawks as well. Dennis is now a sought-after public speaker in North America as fans were equally interested to know about the other Hull. Some of the stories include the time Hull taught Guy Lafleur to speak English; how Hull once won a coin toss worth $250,000; and talks of his ongoing rivalry with Henri Richard, the younger brother of the legendary Montreal Canadiens’ great Maurice Richard. Along the way, Dennis gives an account of the famed 1972 Russia–Canada series and speaks with candor about his brother, Bobby; his nephew and St. Louis Blues’ star Brett Hull; and hockey legends such as Howe, Ken Dryden, and Bobby Orr. This new edition includes new photos and fills in the blank on the past 25 years, bringing the Hull family story up-to-date, and providing insight into the life of a hockey star without taking himself too seriously.
- GenresHockey
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 20, 2023
At one time I was a big hockey fan - in the days of the 6-team NHL - when you knew who played for whom & when CA v. USSR was a big deal. This book takes me back to those days - the days of the Hull brothers, Bobby (the Golden Jet) & Dennis, and the next generation - Brett (the Golden Brett), son of Bobby.
Dennis, a great player in his own right, had the dubious pleasure of playing in the shadow of older brother Bobby, which ultimately kept him out of that spotlight, but through this book, he is able to sort of "set the record straight" about some of the details. He has a good memory for the details of his life & career, and opened my eyes about a lot of things both hockey- and non-hockey-related.
One of 4 boys and 7 girls born into the Hull family, Dennis had a lot going for him, and hockey was IT among the boys (as well as some of the girls.) Many of them left school long before graduating; that's how it was done in those days. This was well before unions, and the like, became a part of sports, so you practiced hard, played hard, and did whatever you could to get yourself noticed. You also didn't make a lot of $$.
Dennis has always been known for his humour, on and off the ice, and he uses it throughout the book in describing various incidents he was a part of. Some of it fell flat for me (like inside jokes; or omitting key words) and this was really the biggest flaw in the book - a bit disjointed & confusing. But overall, it was informative and entertaining, and I learned much about the league in the 50s, 60s, and onwards. Lots of the top, most well-known players became Dennis' friends over the years - teammates, Russian players, etc.
Hull retired in his early 30s and since then has earned a college degree, headed athletic departments at several colleges, taught History, been a public speaker in great demand at events world-wide, written this book, owned successful farms - a busy, talented man.
It's a short book but crammed with details & info. only the most knowledgeable of hockey fans might know. I was always a fan of the Hulls, and now I know a lot more about them.
Dennis, a great player in his own right, had the dubious pleasure of playing in the shadow of older brother Bobby, which ultimately kept him out of that spotlight, but through this book, he is able to sort of "set the record straight" about some of the details. He has a good memory for the details of his life & career, and opened my eyes about a lot of things both hockey- and non-hockey-related.
One of 4 boys and 7 girls born into the Hull family, Dennis had a lot going for him, and hockey was IT among the boys (as well as some of the girls.) Many of them left school long before graduating; that's how it was done in those days. This was well before unions, and the like, became a part of sports, so you practiced hard, played hard, and did whatever you could to get yourself noticed. You also didn't make a lot of $$.
Dennis has always been known for his humour, on and off the ice, and he uses it throughout the book in describing various incidents he was a part of. Some of it fell flat for me (like inside jokes; or omitting key words) and this was really the biggest flaw in the book - a bit disjointed & confusing. But overall, it was informative and entertaining, and I learned much about the league in the 50s, 60s, and onwards. Lots of the top, most well-known players became Dennis' friends over the years - teammates, Russian players, etc.
Hull retired in his early 30s and since then has earned a college degree, headed athletic departments at several colleges, taught History, been a public speaker in great demand at events world-wide, written this book, owned successful farms - a busy, talented man.
It's a short book but crammed with details & info. only the most knowledgeable of hockey fans might know. I was always a fan of the Hulls, and now I know a lot more about them.
April 26, 2025
If you love hockey - this is a great book.
If you love humor - this is a great book.
Dennis takes you through his three careers - hockey, teaching and speaking - and has warm and humorous stories about each aspect of his life. For me the best part was his stories about the 1972 summit series. The writing about the series was great but the personal insight into the players reaction to being in the Soviet Union, the relationships that they built, and the post series events was fascinating.
Dennis also provides insight into the career and challenges faced by his brother Booby. He does so in surprisingly frank and honest manner. Perhaps it is a look at a superstar that only a sibling could give.
I highly recommend this entertaining book.
If you love humor - this is a great book.
Dennis takes you through his three careers - hockey, teaching and speaking - and has warm and humorous stories about each aspect of his life. For me the best part was his stories about the 1972 summit series. The writing about the series was great but the personal insight into the players reaction to being in the Soviet Union, the relationships that they built, and the post series events was fascinating.
Dennis also provides insight into the career and challenges faced by his brother Booby. He does so in surprisingly frank and honest manner. Perhaps it is a look at a superstar that only a sibling could give.
I highly recommend this entertaining book.
June 4, 2013
I was drawn back to re-reading this book that I first found maybe 20 years ago, after a friend sent me a vintage YouTube video of the author, Dennis Hull, giving a dinner speech. Hockey fans are very familiar with both Bobby Hull and (less-so) his less-anointed brother Dennis, who happened to be brilliant in his own right, especially on the standup comic dinner speaker realm. Of course, it’s more germane if you are a hockey fan, so that niche limits readers to the skate-able side of the pond, eh. Dennis’ self-deprecating observations explain his hurdles in life stick-handling behind brother Bobby, 6 years his senior. He is ‘Canadian-humble’ in expressing his own achievements, and polite, yet honest, in expressing disappointment in some of the people he’s met along the way (Alan Eagleson is scum to everyone though, right?)
So many old-time hockey anecdotes that end all of a sudden, but hilarious in their vintage. And loved those stars from the past! …the one where he told Madonna he didn’t recognize her with her clothes on 🤭😂… and his many other ‘brushes with greatness.’
The Summit Series in Moscow was a great story. Lots of Canadian history right there, eh! The cultural clashes, the pranks, the sabotage and especially the paranoia are eloquently conveyed in a calm way by the author, who shone in his journeyman role after several,stars deserted the team due to ego and perhaps a dose of reality that they weren’t gonna be playing. Loved Dennis Hull’s respect of culture and new adventures, especially from the eyes of a simple Canadian farm boy.
And seminal moments in the game, like when the first illegal curve penalty went (in 1970) to Dennis Hull! I remember getting down on my knees and actually praying between the 2nd and 3rd period that Montreal would come back to beat Chicago, and it happened. I should have found Christ after that, eh! Instead I found Cournoyer and Henri Richard 😂. And these rivals even offered praising quotes on the pack cover. He Shoots, He Scores, eh!
So many old-time hockey anecdotes that end all of a sudden, but hilarious in their vintage. And loved those stars from the past! …the one where he told Madonna he didn’t recognize her with her clothes on 🤭😂… and his many other ‘brushes with greatness.’
The Summit Series in Moscow was a great story. Lots of Canadian history right there, eh! The cultural clashes, the pranks, the sabotage and especially the paranoia are eloquently conveyed in a calm way by the author, who shone in his journeyman role after several,stars deserted the team due to ego and perhaps a dose of reality that they weren’t gonna be playing. Loved Dennis Hull’s respect of culture and new adventures, especially from the eyes of a simple Canadian farm boy.
And seminal moments in the game, like when the first illegal curve penalty went (in 1970) to Dennis Hull! I remember getting down on my knees and actually praying between the 2nd and 3rd period that Montreal would come back to beat Chicago, and it happened. I should have found Christ after that, eh! Instead I found Cournoyer and Henri Richard 😂. And these rivals even offered praising quotes on the pack cover. He Shoots, He Scores, eh!
November 18, 2015
Review for Third Best Hull can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews