The Hulls are a different case. Both Bobby and Brett have similar builds, at roughly 5�,10�, 203 lbs., and both have tremendous upper body strength. Both are forwards; Bobby a left wing, Brett plays right. Both are top goal scorers, yet a look at their accomplishments leads some to believe Bobby takes the title of �the best.�

Since the NHL is entertainment, we�ll begin with contribution to a franchise. Bobby single-handedly turned the Hawks from a franchise that was losing money into one of the richest in the league. Brett�s biggest franchise accomplishment to date is getting rid of Mike Keenan.

Bobby is a true hockey innovator, credited with creating the slapshot. Once clocked at 118.3 MPH, his boomer was 35 MPH above the league average, and would still win the NHL hardest shot competition today. He also was the fastest skater in the league. Brett certainly has a cannon, yet there are a few who shoot harder, and there are plenty who skate faster. Brett is one of the top shooters in the league, and any club would be glad to have him, but he�s not an innovator.

Bobby joined the NHL in 1957 as an 18-year-old fresh out of juniors. 10 years later he staked his claim as the �game�s richest player.� becoming the first to earn $100,000 a year, beginning in 1968. In 1972, the fledgling World Hockey Association wanted his talents. It is reported he offered �off the cuff� to jump to the WHA �for a million bucks.� It has been reported he didn�t really want to leave the Hawks, but when Winnipeg offered the million, they more or less called his bluff, and when Chicago wouldn�t match it, off he went.

Brett entered the NHL by a different route. After an excellent junior season, he attended University of Minnesota (at Duluth) for two years prior to joining the Flames for two games in the �86 playoffs. He blanked! Thinking he needed �conditioning,� Calgary sent him to Moncton of the AHL the next season. After moving back up to the Flames to begin the �87 season, he scored 26 goals in 52 games, however, Brett never showed his dad�s willingness to throw himself into the action, preferring to pick his spots. This style apparently didn�t set the Flames� bigwigs on fire. �My whole game is based on deception,� he once said, �I�m there, and then I�m not.� And so it was in Calgary, as they traded him to St. Louis that year.

�BBS

In 1989 Brett exploded for a NHL right-wing record 72 goals. In 1990, he upped the ante to 86 goals in 78 games. He had arrived! Brett has proven himself to be among the NHL�s best. He certainly deserves his superstar status, yet there is one thing missing from his portfolio: a Stanley Cup. Look for Brett to do whatever it takes to engrave his name beside his father, �The Golden Jet.� All the great ones have personal goals to drive them.

It is safe to say that the different levels of success enjoyed by Bobby and Brett are more a reflection of the greater abilities of today�s NHL players, than they are indication of lesser abilities of Brett. Today�s players are bigger, if not faster, then they were in 1957. Put Brett in that era and what you have is talent equal his dad�s.