On April 3, Dallas Stars right wing Brett Hull scored his 610th career goal against Calgary, thus tying his father’s record for ninth place on the career list. Being the son of the legendary Bobby Hull has not been easy. Comparisons between father and son have followed Brett throughout his career. Even his nickname as “The Golden Brett” closely follows his father’s moniker “The Golden Jet.”

Brett Hull crossed the 600 goal mark and joined his father in the exclusive NHL 600-goal club in the last game in December 1999.

Only 12 members belong to the exclusive NHL 600-goal club:

• Wayne Gretzky -- 894
  
• Gordie Howe -- 801
  
• Marcel Dionne 731
  
• Phil Esposito -- 717
  
• Mike Gartner -- 708
  
• Steve Yzerman -- 627
  
• Mark Messier -- 627
  
• Mario Lemieux -- 613
  
• Bobby Hull -- 610
  
• Brett Hull -- 610
  
• Dino Ciccarelli -- 608
  
• Jari Kurri -- 601

Bobby Hull and Brett Hull are one of the most unique father and son combinations in NHL history. With over 600 goals and 1,000 points, they’ve each set incredible records that exceed other father-son duos (such as Gordie and Mark Howe).

The Hulls have both won the Hart Trophy for Most Valuable Player (Bobby twice in 1965 and in 1966; Brett in 1991). Both won the prestigious Lady Byng trophy, which honors gentlemanly play and conduct. Both led teams to Stanley Cups (Bobby in 1961 with the Blackhawks and Brett in 1999 with the Dallas Stars). Both led the NHL in goal-scoring (Brett three times, Bobby seven times).

Yet the Hull father-son hockey duo also have differences uniquely their own.

The Golden Brett

Right-wing Brett Hull is pulling away from the shadow of his father’s legacy. At 35 years old, Brett Hull hit the 610 mark in 126 fewer NHL games than his father. This season Brett Hull is reportedly battling with hip and leg pain, but relieved to have met the 610 mark. As a key member of the Dallas Stars, Brett Hull scored the game-winning goal for the Dallas Stars in triple-overtime to defeat the Buffalo Sabres in game six of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals.

Brett won three consecutive scoring titles by leading the NHL in goals from 1989-92. His career-high is 86 in the 1990-91 season. Wayne Gretzky leads the all-time list with a season high of 92 in 1981-82. The Golden Brett is destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame and reportedly has said he would not stop playing until he is kicked off the ice.

The Golden Jet

Left-wing Bobby Hull began his professional hockey career at 18 years old. Starting with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1957-58 season, Bobby Hull developed into a blazingly fast skater with a devastatingly accurate and powerful slapshot, which scared opponents and helped to build his legendary reputation. Some fans mistakenly believe that Bobby Hull actually invented the slapshot. However, Bobby successfully mastered the move with his own incredible style and accuracy, which has endured in the minds of fans and collectors in the following decades.

In 1972, Bobby Hull left the Chicago Blackhawks and signed a lucrative multi-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Not only did Hull add credibility to a new league at the time (the World Hockey Association, which no longer exists), but his precedent-setting salary made it easier for other hockey players to ask for larger salaries in the 1970s. He scored 303 goals in 411 WHA regular season games and 610 goals in 1,063 NHL regular season games. He led the NHL in goals 7 times and points 3 times. Bobby Hull was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

His playing style, blond hair and good looks led to the nickname “Golden Jet.” He was known for his patience in giving autographs to young fans. Today, cards featuring Bobby Hull are among the highest valued hockey cards in the hobby.

Interest in Vintage Cards and Memorabilia

Like other father-son combinations in the collectibles hobby, collectors may see the increased interest in Bobby Hull sportscards and memorabilia. As Brett Hull comes to the forefront of the game, invariably his father’s name is associated to his own. Collectors see a similar collecting interest by association that has occurred with Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. in baseball. Even though Ken Griffey Sr. was a star player in his own right, his son is by far the better of the two so interest in Sr.’s cards is only slightly increased. On the other hand, market watchers may argue that collecting interest may be even stronger when looking at the Hulls, since Bobby Hull is one of the all-time great hockey players.