The Chicago Blackhawks' all-time leading goalscorer Bobby Hull has died at the age of 84.

Hull played for the Blackhawks for 15 seasons between 1957 and 1972, scoring 604 goals in 1,036 games.

Commonly known as the Golden Jet, Hull was a part of the team that won the 1961 Stanley Cup.

He also won consecutive Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player in 1964-65 and 1965-66.

The league's commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Hull in a statement, calling him a "true superstar".

"When Bobby Hull wound up to take a slapshot, fans throughout the NHL rose to their feet in anticipation and opposing goaltenders braced themselves. During his prime, there was no more prolific goalscorer in all of hockey," Bettman wrote.

"As gregarious a personality as he was explosive as a player, Hull was a true superstar and the face of the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the 1960s and early ’70s.

"The National Hockey League mourns the passing of one of its most iconic and distinctive players.

"We send our deepest condolences to his son, fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Brett, the entire Hull family, and the countless fans around the hockey world who were fortunate enough to see him play or have since marvelled at his exploits."

Hull also spent seven years playing in the WHA with the Winnipeg Jets, signing the sport's first $1million contract, before retiring in the early 1980s after a brief period with the Hartford Whalers. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz also spoke warmly of Hull on Monday, saying in a statement: "Bobby Hull will always be remembered as one of the greatest Blackhawks players of all time. He was a beloved member of the Blackhawks family.

"When I assumed leadership of the organisation upon my father's passing in 2007, one of my first priorities was to meet with Bobby to convince him to come back as an ambassador of the team. His connection to our fans was special and irreplaceable.

"On behalf of the entire Wirtz family, I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet. He will be missed."