from Gary Lawless of TSN,

Some say there would be no NHL in Winnipeg if not for Bobby Hull. Wednesday night they opened the Winnipeg Jets’ Hall of Fame and did it without the Golden Jet, his reputation bruised and his ego keeping him from taking part in the festivities.

The Jets honoured Hull and his Hot Line mates, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson, culminating with the two Swedes embracing at centre ice as three banners carrying their names and numbers were unveiled. Hull was not in the building, the city or the province.

A summer announcement that the Jets would celebrate their WHA heritage and make the Hot Line the inaugural Hall of Fame honourees stirred up sentiment on a number of sides within Winnipeg. Hull, who has been the subject of domestic abuse allegations, became the focal point of opinion columns, sports radio discussions and dinner table arguments.

Hull was reviled by one side and respected by the other. He took offence that reports of past transgressions, never proven in court, would sully his name in Winnipeg of all places.

When the Jets extended an invitation for the weekend, he declined. The club waited some time and when he wouldn’t relent, released a statement saying he would be absent due to personal reasons.

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Below, watch a short video of the ceremony....