They are the two most heralded players in Blackhawks history, Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.
Always Hull and Mikita.
Never Mikita and Hull.
“It really does not bother me,” said Mikita, who entered the hockey Hall of Fame with Hull in 1983. “People love that slap shot.”
With the most dangerous shot in the game, Hull became the marquee offensive player in the NHL in the 1960s, a fate Mikita gladly accepted as the Hawks won the Stanley Cup in 1961 and were annual playoff contenders.
But Mikita still had his pride.
“I never publicly thought of myself as better than Bobby Hull,” Mikita said. “But deep down I said, ‘I’m just as good as he is.’”
Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn’t. And while Mikita will never edge Hull in a debate of the best hockey players of all time, we are giving him his long-awaited due as the greatest Blackhawk of all-time.
A foolish notion? Mikita has more ammunition than you might think:
– Thirty years after he retired, Mikita still is the Hawks’ all-time leader in games played (1,394), assists (926) and points (1,467).
– Mikita’s 541 goals are second to Hull on the Hawks’ all-time list.
– Mikita won four NHL scoring titles (1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968) and matched Hull with two Hart trophies as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.
– Mikita changed the tenor of his game in mid-career and became an even better player — and made the Hawks a better team. He piled up 100-plus penalty minutes early in his career but had just 12 in 1966-67, scored a career-high 97 points, and the Hawks won the Prince of Wales Trophy as the regular-season champion for the first time in team history.
– Mikita not only was the first player in the NHL to win the Ross, Hart and Lady Byng trophies in the same season in 1966-67, he did it again in 1967-68.
– In 1972-73, after Hull jumped to the World Hockey Association, Mikita increased his point total from 65 to 83 as the Hawks reached the Stanley Cup finals.
Mikita won MVP awards and scoring titles, won a Stanley Cup and played in the Cup finals four other times. He had staying power. His No. 21 jersey was the first ever retired by the Hawks. They knew what they were doing.
1. STAN MIKITA, C (1958-80) Hall of Fame: 1983
All-Star teams: 9
Consummate playmaker was one of the best all-around players in NHL history. In 22 seasons, he set team records for games played (1,394), assists (926) and points (1,467) that still stand today. Ranked No. 2 behind Gordie Howe on NHL’s all-time list in career assists and points and No. 6 in career goals (541) when he retired in 1980. Four-time scoring champion; two-time MVP. An instigator early in his career, he went from 154 penalty minutes in 1964-65 to 12 in 1966-67, when he became the first (and only) player to win the Ross (scoring champion), Hart (MVP) and Lady Byng (sportsmanship) trophies in the same season — a feat he repeated in 1967-68.
2. BOBBY HULL, LW (1957-72)
Hall of Fame: 1983
All-Star teams: 12
With blazing speed and a devastating 118 mph slap shot, ”The Golden Jet” became the most exciting player in Blackhawks history and arguably the best left wing ever in the NHL. Scored team-record 604 goals and had 1,153 points in 1,036 games in 15 seasons. Scored 50 or more goals five times, including an NHL-record 58 in 1968-69. He was a three-time scoring champion and two-time league MVP, and still is the team leader in career playoff goals with 61 in 116 games.
3. TONY ESPOSITO, G (1969-84)
Hall of Fame: 1988
All-Star teams: 6
Younger brother of former Hawk Phil Esposito set an NHL record with 15 shutouts as a 26-year-old rookie in 1969-70, winning the Calder and Vezina trophies as the Blackhawks went from last place to first. Won two more Vezina trophies and played in six All-Star games. Still ranks seventh on the all-time list with 423 victories and ninth with 76 shutouts. Led the Hawks to two Stanley Cup finals.
4. GLENN HALL, G (1957-67)
Hall of Fame: 1975
All-Star teams: 8
Acquired by GM Tommy Ivan with Ted Lindsay in a lopsided trade with the Red Wings, ”Mr. Goalie” played in every Hawks game for five seasons (363 total) to set an NHL record with 503 consecutive games that still stands today. He helped the Hawks win their first Stanley Cup in 23 years in 1961, get back to the finals in 1962, won the Vezina in 1963, reached the finals in 1965 and won the Vezina again in 1967. He had 51 of his 84 shutouts with the Blackhawks .
5. DENIS SAVARD, C (1980-90)
Hall of Fame: 2000
All-Star teams: 6
Flashy center known for his ”spin-o-rama” could light up a Stadium crowd like few have since Bobby Hull left town. Savard is third on the Hawks’ all-time list with 1,096 points (377 goals, 719 assists) in 881 games. He scored 100 points or more five times, with a high of 131 (44 goals, 87 assists) in 1987-88.
6. PIERRE PILOTE, D (1955-68)
Hall of Fame: 1975
All-Star teams: 8
Predated Bobby Orr as an offensive-minded defenseman; Pilote broke the NHL record for points by a defenseman with 59 in 1964-65. Three-time Norris Trophy winner (1963-65), three-time runner-up. Scored 15 points in 12 playoff games to lead Hawks to 1961 Stanley Cup.
7. CHRIS CHELIOS, D (1990-99)
All-Star teams: 7
Chicago-area native had already won a Stanley Cup and a Norris Trophy when he was acquired from the Canadiens for Savard and gave the Hawks the veteran leadership and mean streak they were looking for. Chelios helped the Hawks reach the 1992 finals and won Norris trophies in 1993 and 1996.
8. DOUG BENTLEY, LW (1939-52)
Hall of Fame: 1964
All-Star teams: 5
A member of the famed ”Pony Line” with brother Max and Bill Mosienko, Bentley tied the NHL record for points in 1942-43 with 73. He was the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer (531 points) when he retired in 1951. Named the Hawks’ best player of the first half of the 20th century by the Chicago’s American.
9. STEVE LARMER, RW (1981-93)
All-Star teams: 2
Two-way forward teamed with Denis Savard to form one of the highest-scoring duos in the NHL. Third on Hawks’ all-time list in goals (406) and fourth in points (923). Played in 884 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NHL history, ended only by a holdout in 1993.
10. DOUG WILSON, D (1978-91)
All-Star teams: 6
The highest-scoring defenseman in team history, Wilson is third on the Hawks’ all-time list in assists (554) and fifth in points (779). Norris Trophy winner in 1982 when he set team single-season records for goals (39) and points (85) by a defenseman. Played in seven All-Star games.
11. Jeremy Roenick, C 1989-96 Fast, physical, pugnacious forward averaged 47 goals and 103 points in 1990-94. Last Blackhawk to score 50 goals (53 in 1991-92; 50 in 1992-93).
12. Earl Seibert, D 1936-44 Big (6-2, 200), tough defensive star on 1938 Stanley Cup champions, Seibert was an All-Star in all eight Hawks seasons. Hall of Fame in 1963.
13. Bill Mosienko, RW 1941-55 Known for his NHL-record three goals in 21 seconds in 1952, Mosienko also was a five-time All-Star who made the Hall of Fame in 1965.
14. Max Bentley, C 1940-47 Two-time scoring champ (1945-46, 1946-47) won Hart Trophy (MVP) in 1946. Tied NHL record with four goals in a period in 1943. Hall of Fame in 1966.
15. Pat ”Whitey” Stapleton, D 1965-73 Diminutive defenseman was a fan favorite and four-time All-Star. Tied NHL record with six assists in a game in 1969.
16. Dennis Hull, LW 1965-77 Younger brother of Bobby Hull made a name for himself with 298 goals (fifth on the Hawks’ all-time list) and 640 points (sixth).
17. Eric Nesterenko, RW 1957-72 Third on Hawks’ all-time list in games played (1,013) behind Mikita and Hull, ”Nester” was one of the NHL’s best defensive forwards and a two-time All-Star.
18. Chuck Gardiner, G 1927-34 Two-time Vezina Trophy winner was in his prime at 29 when he led the Hawks to their first Stanley Cup in 1934, but died suddenly two months later.
19. Ed Belfour, G 1988-97 ”Eddie the Eagle” was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and three-time All-Star who is fourth on the Hawks’ all-time list with 30 shutouts.
20. Tony Amonte, RW 1994-2002 Five-time All-Star is sixth on the Hawks’ all-time goals list (268) and ninth in points (541). Averaged 36 goals over seven full seasons.
21. Harold ”Mush” March, RW 1928-45 Just 5-5, 154, Mush scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime to clinch the Hawks’ first Stanley Cup in 1934. Also played on the 1938 champs.
22. Bill White, D 1970-76 Classic ”stay-at-home” defenseman teamed with Whitey Stapleton to form one of best back lines in the NHL. A four-time All-Star in his six full seasons.
23. Pit Martin, C 1967-77 Part of the ”MPH” line with Jim Pappin and Dennis Hull that led Hawks to the Cup finals after Bobby Hull left. He ranks seventh in team history with 627 points.
24. Keith Magnuson, D 1969-80 One of the most popular players in team history, the fiery redhead was a two-time All-Star who is No. 2 on Hawks’ all-time list in penalty minutes (1,442).
25. Kenny Wharram, RW 1951-69 A member of the ”Scooter Line” with Mikita and Ab McDonald/Doug Mohns, Wharram was a two-time All-Star who scored two key goals in the 1961 Cup finals.
26. Jim Pappin, RW 1968-75 A four-time All-Star, Pappin helped fill the void when Bobby Hull left town, scoring a career-high 92 points to lead the Hawks to the 1973 Cup finals.
27. Paul Thompson, LW 1931-39 Led the Hawks in scoring six times in his eight seasons and was a first-team All-Star on the 1938 Cup champions.
28. Al Secord, LW 1980-87 A fighter and a scorer, Secord was the first Hawk since Bobby Hull to score 50 goals when he had 54 in 1982-83. Scored 40 or more three times.
29. Chico Maki, RW 1961-76 Excellent forechecker and penalty-killer, Maki played on a line with Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito that led the NHL in scoring in 1966-67.
30. Ed Litzenberger, C/RW 1954-61 Rookie of the Year in 1955 led the Hawks in scoring for three straight seasons (1956-59). Four-time All-Star, played on the 1961 Stanley Cup champions.
31. Bob Murray, D 1975-90 Steady, underrated defenseman is fourth on the Hawks’ list in games played (1,008). An All-Star in 1981, when he had a career-high 60 points, and 1983.
32. Cliff Koroll, RW 1969-80 Dependable forward who did a lot of the dirty work, Koroll scored a career-high 33 goals in 1972-73 when the Hawks reached the Stanley Cup finals.
33. Elmer ”Moose” Vasko, D 1956-66 Huge for his day, the 6-3, 200-pound Vasko teamed with Pierre Pilote to form one of the best back lines in the NHL.
34. John Gottselig, LW 1928-45 Second-leading goal-scorer on the 1934 and 1938 Cup championship teams, Gottselig was a penalty-killing forward whose 176 goals rank 19th in team history.
35. Roy Conacher, LW 1947-52 Former Bruins and Red Wings star led the NHL in scoring (68 points) in his second season with the Hawks in 1948-49. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998.
36. Bill Hay, C 1959-67 Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in 1959-60, Hay led the 1961 Stanley Cup championship team with 48 assists and 59 points.
37. Troy Murray, C 1981-91 Sturdy center was one of the NHL’s best defensive forwards, winning the Selke Trophy in 1985-86 when he had career highs in goals (45) and assists (54).
38. Dirk Graham, RW 1988-95 Well-respected ”captain of captains,” Graham was the glue on the Hawks’ early 1990s teams. He won the Selke Trophy in 1990-91.
39. Darryl Sutter, LW 1980-87 One of the Hawks’ great leaders, he overcame injuries in 1984-85 to set a team record with 12 playoff goals, including two overtime game-winners.
40. Bill Gadsby, D 1946-54 Rugged defender was a two-time All-Star with the Hawks before being traded to the Rangers. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1970.
41. Ivan Boldirev, C 1974-79 Averaged 28 goals over five seasons, including 35 in 1977-78, when he made the All-Star team.
42. Tom Lysiak, C 1979-86 A three-time All-Star with the Flames, Lysiak was a dependable scorer and two-way player on teams that reached the conference finals three times.
43. Doug Mohns, LW 1964-70 A speedy defender with the Bruins, Mohns fit right in on the Scooter Line with Mikita and Wharram, scoring 20-plus goals a season.
44. Eric Daze, RW 1995-2006 Scored 30 goals as a 20-year-old rookie and 200 overall by age 26 after scoring 38 in 2001-02 before chronic back injuries halted his career at 28.
45. Phil Russell, D 1972-79 At 6-2, 200, Hawks’ rough-and-tough enforcer was light on his feet and made the All-Star team in 1976 and 1977.
46. Jonathan Toews, C 2007- Third overall pick of the 2006 draft, Toews made the All-Star team and scored 34 goals at age 20 in 2009; Hawks’ best center since Roenick left in 1996.
47. Lou Angotti, C 1966-67; 1969-73 Didn’t have to score to make things happen. Hawks won the Prince of Wales Trophy and made two trips to the Stanley Cup finals during his two stints.
48. Patrick Kane, RW 2007- No. 1 overall pick in 2007 has sparked Hawks’ revival, scoring 71 goals and recording 209 points in his first 223 games. Still just 21. An All-Star in 2009.
49. Doug Jarrett, D 1964-75 ”The Chairman of the Boards” was a physical defender known for his hip-checks and solid overall play. An All-Star in his 11th and final season with the Hawks.
50 . Grant Mulvey, RW 1974-84 Played on the productive ”RPM” line with Terry Ruskowski and Rich Preston. Set a team record with five goals in one game in 1982.
