Brett Hull wasn’t just a great player; he was hilarious as well. And this story about how Hull took revenge on Mike Keenan, who forced him to sit out a team penalty, just proves it…
Brett Hull is truly one of the all-time greats. His career spanned from 1986 to 2005, and his career total of 741 goals is fifth highest in NHL history.
He’s also one of five players to reach the magical 50 goals in 50 games. Hull also managed to win two Stanley Cups, with the Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings, and he did it all while staying true to himself.
Hull was more than just a great player; he was a real character and one of the funniest guys who ever played in the NHL.
If someone ever played with Hull, he definitely has a Hull story to share with you.
Brett Hull managed to keep up his scoring production even late in his career despite not really being the hardest-working player in the league.
There are plenty of stories of how Brett Hull refused to practice if there were only defensive drills on the schedule, and rumor has it that he absolutely hated practicing at all for the back half of his career.
Apparently, it could even go extended periods of time without any real training for him. But he still managed to be world-class every time he stepped onto the ice for a game.
Hull always played with confidence. He knew he was great, and he carried that with him throughout his whole career. And he always spoke out if he believed something was wrong, just like the time he refused to sit out a team penalty.
One time, during a playoff game against Minnesota, Mike Keenan instructed Hull to serve a too many men on the ice-penalty.
Hull responded that he simply doesn’t serve penalties.
”Keenan then told Hull again to go serve the penalty and once again Hull said, ’I don’t serve penalties.’ The ref skates over to the bench yelling, ’We need someone to get in the box.’ Hull’s teammates began saying, ’Just go Hullie!’” Grant Fuhr once told Andy Strickland for Hockeybuzz.
Hull eventually listened and slowly skated to the penalty box. After the penalty expired, Hull was fed up.
To avenge Keenan, he waited some extra seconds after the door opened. Hull went out of the box just as he had the chance to go on an easy breakaway. Instead of taking the puck, he stepped over it and skated slowly to the bench.
Keenan must’ve been out of his mind angry, but Hull simply looked at him and said, ”I told you, I don’t serve penalties.”
What a legend!
