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Immigrant of the Day: Tony Esposito (Canada)

By immigrationprof

Tonyesposito Anthony James Esposito (born April 23, 1943 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender. Esposito is considered one of the pioneers of the now popular butterfly style and one of the best goaltenders in National Hockey League history.

Esposito grew up Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with his brother, fellow future NHL star Phil Esposito. He played college hockey for Michigan Tech University. Esposito was a three-time first-team All-America selection and a driving force behind the Huskies winning the 1964-65 NCAA Championship.

Esposito first played pro for the Montreal Canadiens in the 1968-69 season. A famous game against the Boston Bruins, led by his brother Phil, ended in a 2-2 tie, in which Phil scored both goals for Boston. The next year the Chicago Blackhawks claimed Tony from Montreal on waivers. Esposito had a spectacular season, setting a modern day NHL record with 15 shutouts. He won both the Calder Trophy and the Vezina Trophy and made the First All-Star Team, as well as being runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy. The next year, Tony Esposito again proved to be one of the league’s best goalies and helped Chicago finish first in the NHL’s West division. He took the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup finals, but they lost to Montreal.

Tony Esposito played for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series. He was the first goalie to earn a win against the Soviets. In 1973 the Blackhawks again lost to Montreal in the Stanley Cup finals. The next several years, as Montreal and Philadelphia dominated the league, Esposito and the Black Hawks suffered through a series of mediocre seasons. In 1980 he returned to the All Star First Team after posting six shutouts.

In 1981, Tony Esposition became a U.S. citizen and played for Team USA in the 1981 Canada Cup (he had previously represented Canada at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament).

Esposito retired from professional play in 1985 and was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. The Chicago Blackhawks have retired his number 35.

KJ