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2-time NHL MVP Bobby Hull had Stage 2 CTE when he died in 2023, researchers confirmed

2-time NHL MVP Bobby Hull had Stage 2 CTE when he died in 2023, researchers confirmed

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 19, 2025, 22:10 IST

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Bobby Hull, a legendary NHL player, died at 84 due to Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). His decision to donate his brain to advance CTE research was influenced by the suffering of his teammate, Stan Mikita. Research by Boston University highlights the significant risk of CTE among hockey players.

2-time NHL MVP Bobby Hull had Stage 2 CTE when he died in 2023, researchers confirmed

(Image via Getty)

The Golden Jet, Chicago Blackhawks’ left wing, 1961 Stanley Cup winner, and one of the biggest Canadian professional ice hockey players, Bobby Hull or Robert Marvin Hull, died of Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) at the age of 84 in 2023.
His widow, Deborah Hull, released a statement via the Associated Press this Wednesday, which stated, “Seeing the pain and heartache suffered by his lifetime friend Stan Mikita’s family, Bobby felt strongly no other family should have to endure CTE. He insisted on donating his brain, feeling as though it was his duty to help advance research on this agonizing disease.”

Hall of Famer Bobby Hull had short-term memory loss and impaired judgment in the last decade of his life

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at age 84 | CBS Sports

One of the '100 Greatest NHL Players in History' Bobby Hull saw his fellow teammate and Hall of Famer Stan Mikita die due to CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) at the age of 78. After seeing that, NHL legend Bobby Hull decided to donate his brain to Advanced Researchers. Advanced Researchers who would help find the cause of his short-term memory loss and impaired judgment caused due to CTE in the last decade of his life.

Researchers at Boston University found that 18 out of 19 examined NHL players had CTE

Hockey icon Bobby Hull dies at 84

Boston University's Advanced Researchers shared, "In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that the odds of having CTE, a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated hits to the head, increased by 34 percent for each year of hockey played. They found that 18 of 19 NHL players had CTE pathology."
The exact definition of CTE, according to Boston University’s CTE Center, is “a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in people with a history of repetitive head impacts.”
The main cause of CTE is repeated blows to the head. When NHL players play ice hockey, it’s common for players to directly hit the heads of other NHL players.

It was only in 2010 when the NHL brought in the Rule 48. Rule 48 prevents NHL players from hitting the heads of other NHL players directly

Bobby Hull's CTE Diagnosis: A Wake-Up Call for Contact Sports

The contact when an NHL player hits another NHL player's head with his stick, equipment, or body is called the head contact. NHL players who do not follow this rule can get suspended or have to bear penalties.
84-year-old NHL MVP Bobby Hull became a victim of an occupational hazard. Due to the repeated blows to his head, while he played in the NHL, he developed Stage 2 CTE in the last decade of his life. Thanks to NHL legend Bobby Hull’s insistence on advanced research. Now, future NHL players will all be prevented from having CTE.
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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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