Brett Hull grew emotional as he honored former St. Louis Blues teammate Kelly Chase, who received the 2026 True Blue Award. Hull credited Chase with teaching him how to represent the Blues organization off the ice.
They shared a close bond as teammates and have remained close friends long after retirement.
Chase received the True Blue Award during the 2026 St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame ceremony. The former Blues enforcer was honored alongside inductees Al Arbour, Barret Jackman, and Alexander Steen.
It was a special night, as several legendary alumni, including Hull, Curtis Joseph, Chris Pronger, and Keith Tkachuk were in attendance. Their support and presence showcased the tight-knit community and lasting relationships they formed.
Brett Hull Emotional When Explaining Kelly Chase’s Importance to His Career
The mood changed as Brett Hull was brought to tears when explaining Kelly Chase’s impact on his career.
Hull rightfully receives adoration for being the talented goal scorer he was. However, he made sure to point out that the enforcers on his team, including Chase, protected him on the ice. Because of their support, Hull was able to be a difference-maker offensively and help his team win.
Hull explained Chase’s importance to shed light on why he is so beloved in the St. Louis community.
“I became this guy and this St. Louis Blue scoring all these goals and it could have went a myriad of ways,” Hull said. “Without [Chase], he taught me how I was supposed to act, all the things we were supposed to do away from the game, the way we treated our fans and the people, and the community.”
He added:
“Whatever it was, he was my guiding light that way. I’ve never told him that, but I think he knows,” Hull said. “When you think about Kelly Chase, it’s the love of the St. Louis Blues and the city of St. Louis. And, that sums it up right there.”
Ex-Blues Goaltender Curtis Joseph Backs Brett Hull’s Sentiments About Kelly Chase
Curtis Joseph also echoed Brett Hull’s sentiments about Kelly Chase and praised his former teammate. ‘Cujo’ spoke about Chase’s influence off the ice and how helped him acclimate to life in the NHL.
Joseph, who was sitting next to Hull and Chase on stage, expressed his gratitude toward the former Blues enforcer. He noted how significant his support was as a rookie in the league.
“We were all a bunch of young guys, but ‘Chaser’ was a guy I looked to because I wasn’t raised the way he was raised. And, along the lines where you’d just say, ‘Your mom’s here.’ You were raised right, you were a man before I was,” Joseph said during the 2026 Blues Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. “I would always look to you and you included me in everything.”
He added:
“I was just like your little brother. And, it helped my development so much knowing that I had a guy in my corner,” Joseph said. “In the community he was like that, but in the dressing room for me, he was like that. He’s a guy that I look to, to help me acclimate to the NHL world because it’s not that easy.”
‘My Guiding Light’: Brett Hull Emotional as Kelly Chase Receives True Blue Award