Tony Esposito, one of the greatest goalies in NHL history, passed away today after recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 78.
Even if one didn't know much about hockey growing up in Canada, you sure knew about the Esposito brothers - Phil and Tony - the pride of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Of course, Tony was the younger of the two and was the goalie. After originally beginning his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Esposito became a fixture with the Chicago Blackhawks for 15 seasons. He and Ken Dryden were probably the league's two best goalies in the 1970's. The two would face off in two Stanley Cups with Esposito coming up on the short end both times. The two would join forces on Team Canada during the famous Summit Series against the USSR in 1972. Paul Henderson might have scored the winning goal but Esposito and Dryden kept the Soviets from scoring.
Esposito would win the NHL's Rookie of the Year Award - the Calder Trophy as well as his first of three Vezina Trophys for best goaltender in the league on the strength of 15 shutouts - the most ever recorded by a goalie in a single season. His 76 career shutouts are tied for 10th on the NHL All-Time list. He would be enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
After his playing career, Esposito would briefly serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and later was part of the ownership group which established the Tampa Bay Lightning in the early 1990's. Phil was the team's first President and GM while Tony would be named the team's chief scout. By the end of the decade, the Espositos would be forced out of the organization not long after selling the team.
Tony Esposito always worked best when he was in front of net. R.I.P.
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