Bobby Hull nixes upcoming trip to Winnipeg
Winnipeg Jets ‘deeply disappointed’ the former player is cancelling his trip to the city
Bobby Hull is nixing a planned trip to Winnipeg, but the controversial former Winnipeg Jet will still be inducted into the team's hall of fame next month.
The Winnipeg Jets say they're "deeply disappointed" by the news, released late Friday afternoon.
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In a written statement, the Jets said Hull is no longer attending its inaugural Hall of Fame induction on October 19 and 20 for "personal reasons."
In July, the team announced it was creating a hall of fame to honour players. Hull, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson are the hall's inaugural members. The men were known as the Hot Line, which led the early-era Jets to World Hockey Association championships in 1976 and 1978.
But the decision to honour Hull created controversy when a Winnipeg columnist challenged Hull's appointment over his off-ice history.
Hull was never convicted of domestic violence charges, but he pleaded guilty to assaulting a Chicago police officer who intervened in an argument between Hull and his third wife in 1986, said columnist Colin Fast.
Hull, in a statement released through the Jets, did not elaborate on why he is missing next month's ceremony.
"While I will not be in attendance for the celebration, I want to thank the Jets for the special recognition and the wonderful fans of Winnipeg for all of their support throughout the years," Hull said.
"It's a true honour to be inducted into the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame alongside my former linemates and friends, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson."