August 6, 2004
GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - Brett Hull, who ranks third on the all-time goal-scoring list, signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Hull, who turns 40 on August 9, spent the last three years with the Detroit Red Wings. He had 25 goals and 43 assists last season.

The 18-year veteran has 741 goals, 649 assists and 1,390 points in 1,264 NHL games. Only Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801) have scored more goals than Hull.

Gretzky is a managing partner of the Coyotes and likely played a major role in convincing Hull to come to the desert.

Hull also has scored 103 playoff goals, fourth behind Gretzky, Mark Messier and Jari Kurri.

"Brett Hull is a dynamic player who creates excitement every time he enters the offensive zone," Coyotes general manager Michael Barnett said. "He has contributed significantly to winning Stanley Cups in both Detroit and Dallas. We not only look forward to the experience and passion he will bring to his teammates here in Phoenix but also to the pure entertainment he will provide to our fans."

Drafted by Calgary in the sixth round in 1994, Hull has played for the Flames, St. Louis, Dallas and Detroit. He scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for Dallas in a triple-overtime Game Six victory against Buffalo in 1999 and also won a Stanley Cup title with Detroit in 2002, when he scored 10 goals in the postseason.

A nine-time All-Star, Hull enjoyed his most prolific seasons with St. Louis, recording 72 goals and 113 points in 1989-90, career-highs 86 goals and 131 points in 1990-91 and 70 goals and 109 points in 1991-92.

At least it brings fans to Phoenix.