As a hockey fan, you know that when Brett Hull is on TV, there’s going to be laughter — and lots of it. But people who aren’t fond of hockey might not have realized just how funny he can be — until he appeared on Saturday Night Live back in 2004.
The 2004–2005 NHL season would have been the league’s 88th, but due to a conflict between the league and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), the entire season was canceled on February 16, 2005. It marked the first time since 1919 that the Stanley Cup was not awarded. There’s even an engraving on the Cup itself that reads: “2004–05 Season Not Played.”
READ MORE: Brett Hull refused to leave the ice because he wanted a beer
Decided to be a TV star
Hundreds of NHL players went over to Europe to play until the lockout ended — but not Brett Hull. Having just turned 40, Hull decided to sit out the season. But in Brett Hull’s world, that doesn’t mean spending the year quietly training for the next one. Instead, Hull decided to become a television star.
Brett Hull on SNL
On December 11, 2004, Brett Hull appeared on Saturday Night Live, the legendary live TV comedy show. He didn’t act or play a character — but he still managed to make everyone laugh. And, in true Brett Hull fashion, he also managed to insult both basketball and baseball players at the same time.
“Hockey is looking classier”
In the sketch, the host, Amy Poehler, asked Hull if he thought the NHL would be able to regain popularity after a year off — and that’s when Hull went to town.
“I think so. I mean, with the basketball riots and the steroids in baseball — I think hockey is looking classier all the time,” Hull said, taking quite a jab at two of America’s biggest sports on live television.
That’s Brett Hull for ya!
You can watch the hilarious sketch below.
READ MORE: Brett Hull and Kelly Chase made a cab driver sing karaoke
