Dr. Anne McKee, director of Boston University's CTE Center, expressed gratitude to Hull and other NHL players for their contributions to CTE research, urging retired players and their families to seek help if they have concerns.

Despite increasing evidence linking CTE to hockey, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has publicly denied a definitive connection between CTE and playing in the NHL.

Bobby Hull, a legendary NHL player known as 'The Golden Jet,' was diagnosed with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death in 2023, as confirmed by researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center.

Hull's decision to donate his brain for research was influenced by witnessing the decline of his former teammate Stan Mikita due to CTE, as he aimed to help advance studies on the disease.

His widow, Deborah Hull, revealed the diagnosis on February 19, 2025, highlighting Hull's struggles with short-term memory loss and impaired judgment over the last decade of his life.

CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head traumas, diagnosed only posthumously through brain examination.

A recent study revealed that 18 out of 19 deceased NHL players examined had CTE, indicating a 34% increased risk of developing the condition for each year played in the league.

The awareness of CTE has significantly increased in recent years, especially following diagnoses of several prominent players like Bob Probert and Derek Boogard.

CTE can affect individuals months to decades after their last trauma, underscoring the importance of ongoing research and education regarding head injuries.

In light of growing concerns about CTE, the NHL Players' Association established an advisory committee to educate players about the risks of concussions and CTE.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hull scored 610 goals in the NHL and remains the Chicago Blackhawks' all-time leader with 604 goals, in addition to his achievements in the World Hockey Association.

His accolades include one Stanley Cup, three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies, and multiple All-Star Game MVP awards.