Retired Number Sixteen Brett Hull

Lore & Background

The defining moment of Hull's career, and indeed the entire franchise, occurred on June 12, 1999. In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Buffalo Sabres, Hull scored the game-winning goal in overtime, cementing his place as a legend who delivered when it mattered most. While this victory was achieved with the Dallas Stars, it is intrinsically linked to his Blues legacy because he had spent the prime of his career building the foundation for such success in St. Louis. His jersey retirement ceremony at the Savvis Center (now Enterprise Center) was a testament to a player who gave everything to the city, leaving behind a statistical dominance that remains unchallenged.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Kiel Auditorium is thick with anticipation as the arena lights dim, focusing solely on the center ice. A spotlight cuts through the darkness, illuminating a large banner bearing the number sixteen, draped in blue and gold. The crowd's roar builds to a crescendo, not for a goal, but for memory. It is 2007, and the man who once skated these boards with relentless speed now stands quietly at center ice, watching his legacy ascend. The silence that follows the anthem is heavy with emotion, a collective breath held by fans who remember the roar of the '90 playoffs and the magic of the '89-90 season.

Reader's Guide

Brett Hull joined the Blues in January 1988 via trade from Detroit, instantly becoming the team's offensive engine. In the 1989-90 season, he recorded a career-high 73 goals and helped lead St. Louis to their first-ever Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team. Hull became the franchise's all-time leading scorer in points and goals during his tenure, a record that stood for decades after his departure. His consistency was remarkable; he scored over 40 goals in three consecutive seasons with the Blues, establishing an era of high-scoring hockey in St. Louis. Although his final Stanley Cup came in Dallas in 1999, Hull's impact on the Blues is measured by his longevity and statistical dominance. On February 16, 2007, the Blues officially retired number sixteen. The ceremony recognized him not just as a scorer, but as the player who brought the franchise its highest regular-season achievement and sustained excellence during a transformative period.

Did You Know?

• Brett Hull is the only player in NHL history to score over 70 goals in three consecutive seasons with different teams (St. Louis, Dallas).
• Hull's goal that won the 1999 Stanley Cup was famously debated due to whether his skate crossed the line, but it remains official history.