Hall-of-Fame Blackhawks Goaltender Tony Esposito, Dead at 78

[Sharpshooter]

https://www.tsn.ca/chicago-blackhawks-legend-tony-esposito-passes-away-at-78-1.1680269

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Tony Esposito, the pioneering Hall of Fame goaltender who played almost his entire 16-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks, has died following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, the team announced Tuesday. He was 78. Esposito debuted with Montreal during the 1968-69 season and appeared in 13 games. He was then left unprotected with the Canadiens deep in goalies and taken by the Blackhawks in an intraleague draft for $25,000, an investment that paid immediate dividends for a team that finished last in its division. Esposito helped lead the Blackhawks to first place, showcasing his butterfly style to post a 2.17 goals-against average and 15 shutouts, still a modern record for an NHL goalie. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year as well as the Vezina Trophy given to the top goaltender. He also won the Vezina in 1972 and 1974.

 

He is Chicago's career leader with 418 wins and 74 shutouts. His overall record of 423-306-151 ranks 10th in league history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988, joining his brother.

 

[Ozzy]

Awww That's sad to hear. I grew up watching Tony-O with the Hawks.

[Pete]

Awww That's sad to hear. I grew up watching Tony-O with the Hawks.

When you were like 35, right?

[Ozzy]

When you were like 35, right?

 

on one leg! ...yeah!! :rofl:

[Stephen]

Awww That's sad to hear. I grew up watching Tony-O with the Hawks.

 

Great goalie, he had the misfortune of being on really good Blackhawks teams in the 70s (Hull brothers, Mikita) when the Canadiens were at their peak.

[4EverRangerFrank]

Think of how each of these brothers helped one another to become better players. From their first days playing 'shoot the puck' in the basement, one of the best goalies and one of the best scorers played against each other daily. Yeah they were kids, but their super-skills were developing against another with super-skill. Wow what a combination.

[Dunny]

I'm pretty sure both were playing Local League for the bulk of their lives, too.