When art and sports meet in Cicero, the community gets inspired. In 2011, Cicero, with the help of Wirtz Beverage Illinois, opened the Bobby Hull Community Ice Rink. Hosting up to 800 skaters on any given winter Friday or Saturday, the ice rink is a way for the community to encourage kids to stay fit and achieve their dreams.
As people enter the ice rink, they look up at the bronze statue of Bobby Hull, created by Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany’s own Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon. The statue is a reminder of how hard work and talent can take you to great places, just like Bobby Hull.
Bobby Hull, often credited as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, is a Chicago Blackhawks legend. After growing up in Ontario, he joined the Blackhawks in 1957 at the tender age of 18. He quickly rose to the top of the ranks, finishing second in the “Rookie of the Year” balloting in his premier year. In 1961, “The Golden Jet”, as he was called, led the league in point-scoring and was instrumental in helping the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup. His 120 miles per hour shot just couldn’t be defended against. Hull was granted hockey superstar status when he went on to score the highest number of goals in a single season in 1966. He brought not only himself, but also the Chicago Blackhawks into the limelight.
After leaving the NHL to achieve greater stardom and salary, he played for the World Hockey Association for seven years. In the early 1980s, slowed by his injuries and his age, he retired his hockey stick for good. He was deservedly elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
Now his image is immortalized at the Ice Rink in Cicero, welcoming and inspiring those who want to achieve greatness on the ice.
Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany is proud to have created a statue of such an inspirational man. We encourage you to visit our studio and see other inspirational pieces we have created.