Brett Hull opened up about his decision to sign with the Detroit Red Wings when he was a free agent in 2001. Hull revealed that it almost didn’t happen until one phone call from Chris Chelios redirected his plans.
In 2001, Hull, then 37, was an unrestricted free agent. He was coming off a strong season with the Dallas Stars.
Hull finished the 2000-01 NHL season with 39 goals and added 40 assists, totaling 79 points in 79 games. That marked an increase from the previous season, when he record 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points. Because of that production, Hull was a hot commodity on the free agent market, especially for teams seeking a veteran scorer with Stanley Cup experience.
Hull was at the tail end of his legendary career and was weighing his options. There was interest from the Chicago Blackhawks, where his father Bobby was a legend, as well as the Montreal Canadiens.
During his Ice Guardians Podcast, Hull revealed that he was leaning towards signing with the Canadiens.
“I almost went to Montreal. And it was like one of the coolest things. I spent 45 minutes with Jean Beliveau and we talked, and it was like, ‘Okay,'” Hull said. “I [told my wife], ‘Honey, you can learn to speak French and it’ll be fun, great culture.'”
Brett Hull Credits Conversation With Chris Chelios for Signing With the Red Wings
Brett Hull credited a conversation he had with Chris Chelios as the reason he signed with the Red Wings. Chelios, then 39, was also an accomplished player with a Hall of Fame resume.
“We were out for dinner and we had said, ‘Okay, Montreal.’ Then [Chelios] called me and said, ‘You want to come to Detroit?’ And I’m like, ‘Yup, I want to come to Detroit,'” Hull said. “They were so good.”
The Red Wings boasted a talented roster that included Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Brendan Shanahan, and rookie Pavel Datsyuk. In addition to Hull, Detroit also added Luc Robitaille and Vezina-winning goaltender Dominik Hasek.
Hull Explains Why He Didn’t Sign With the Chicago Blackhawks
Hull admitted that he opted to sign with the Canadiens instead of the Blackhawks when they both inquired about him.
During his Ice Guardians Podcast, Hull recalled what those conversations were like. He said a late-night phone call from then-general manager Bob Pulford ultimately caused him to pass on the opportunity.
“I almost signed with the Blackhawks and I’m pretty sure that was probably a good thing I didn’t,” Hull said. “Chicago, it was [1 AM]. They called me and they’re loaded, and Bob Pulford is like, ‘You know, seven million is a lot of money.’ And I go, ‘Well, I don’t want seven million,’ and he said it 30 times and finally, I just hung up.”
Although joining the Blackhawks would have reunited Hall with former St. Louis Blues coach Brian Sutter, he made the right decision. Chicago was in the midst of going through a rebuild, while the Red Wings were going all in for a Stanley Cup.
Hull’s decision paid off, as the Red Wings went on defeat the Carolina Hurricanes and hoist the Stanley Cup in 2002.
Brett Hull Reveals the Call That Led Him to Sign With the Red Wings