Hull joins Coyotes, wear father's old No. 9

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Hull joins Coyotes, wear father's old No. 9 By Associated Press Aug 10, 2004 - 9:29:00 PM	Email this article Printer friendly page
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Brett Hull was formally introduced by Wayne Gretzky as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday in a scene that could be a preview of a future Hall of Fame gathering. The Coyotes were so happy to get the NHL's third-leading goal scorer that they unretired the famed No. 9 Winnipeg Jets jersey worn by Bobby Hull, Brett's father. ``I look forward to wearing this number,'' Hull said. ``I remember as a kid watching my father play in Winnipeg and marveled at the things he could do, and I hope I can continue that tradition.'' The Hulls are the only father-son combination to each score over 600 goals. Brett Hull signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract on Friday. He took the Coyotes' offer over a one-year deal proposed by Dallas, one of Hull's former teams. ``I really boiled down to how much I felt that I was wanted here in Phoenix, how much I felt I was going to be a big part of taking this franchise to another level and helping the young, great players that they have become better,'' Hull said. He has 741 goals and needs 61 more to pass Gordie Howe for second on the NHL career list behind only Gretzky. Hull, an 18-year veteran, is coming off three seasons with Detroit in which he missed only one game. He had 92 goals with the Red Wings, including 25 last season along with 43 assists in 81 games. The offseason has been busy for the Coyotes, who also signed forwards Mike Ricci and Boyd Devereaux, traded for forward Jason Chimera and acquired defenseman Sean O'Donnell. They also retained forward Ladislav Nagy, who had a career high 24 goals in 55 games before hurting his wrist last season, and Krys Kolanos. Gretzky, a former teammate during Brett Hull's 10 1/2 years with the St. Louis Blues, said he would be a definite asset as a mentor. ``Everybody is going to enjoy watching Brett,'' Gretzky said. ``He was fun to play with, he's going to be fun to work with and, most importantly of all his records, he won two Stanley Cups and he knows what it takes to win. He will work hard every day to help make our younger players better.'' Selected by Calgary in the sixth round of the 1984 draft, Hull also played for St. Louis, Dallas and Detroit. He won Stanley Cups with the Dallas (1999) and Detroit (2002). He has 649 assists and 1,390 points in 1,264 regular-season games, and 103 goals and 87 assists in 202 playoff games. Hull, a nine-time All-Star, was the NHL MVP in 1991. Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports Top of Page