Brett Hull was born in Canada but played for USA Hockey throughout his entire career. And it all stemmed from something that happened early on between him and Canada—something he would never forgive.
Hull was one of the greatest players of his generation. Playing for the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes, he was an elite goal-scorer who still ranks fifth in NHL history in that category.
He is also one of only five players to have scored 50 goals in 50 games and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. And he could have played international hockey for Team Canada.
Why Brett Hull played with USA
Born in Belleville, Canada, Brett Hull made the surprising decision in 1991 to represent the United States instead. And there was a clear reason behind that choice. Five years earlier, Canada had decided not to offer him a spot on their junior roster for a 1986 tournament. Team USA, however, believed in him and gave him a chance to flourish.
“Well, I did not make that choice—they made that choice for me,” Hull said on the Cam & Strick Podcast. “Both Team USA and Team Canada came to watch me play. Dave King was the coach of Team Canada, and Dave Peterson was the coach of Team USA. Dave King basically said I was no good and wanted nothing to do with me. He told Team USA they could have me if they wanted… They came down after the game and asked if I’d like to play for Team USA at the World Championships, and I said, ‘Well yes, I would, thank you very much.'”
For Brett Hull, it was about sticking to his principles.
“If they saw that much in me and gave me the opportunity, well, what kind of d—k would I be if I said, ‘Screw you, Team USA, I’m gonna go play with Canada because they’re better’? No, I’m gonna stay loyal to Team USA, who took a chance on me.”
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