The Chicago Blackhawks and the National Hockey League have lost a treasured family member today, as the team announced the passing of legendary goaltender Tony Esposito at the age of 78 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
We are heartbroken to have lost a legend in Tony Esposito, who passed away today after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.#TonyO ❤️
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 10, 2021
Per NHL.com:
Tony Esposito played all but one of his 16 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, was a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the top goaltender in the league (1970, 1972, 1974) and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1970 for the top rookie in the NHL. He remains the all-time franchise leader in shutouts (74) and career wins (418).
He set a team record with 15 shutouts during the 1969-70 season. His career NHL record of 423-306-151 ranks 10th in league history. Esposito went seven consecutive seasons with 30-plus wins (1969-76). A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 where he joined his brother, Phil, who played 18 seasons in the NHL.
Tony Esposito’s No. 35 was retired by the Blackhawks on November 20, 1988 at Chicago Stadium. In 2017, Esposito was named one of the “100 Greatest Players in NHL History” by the NHL. Esposito has served as a Blackhawks Team Ambassador since March 19, 2008. He was honored at the United Center that night in a pregame ceremony where he joined Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita who were earlier given that title with the team.
– – Quotes via NHL.com Link – –
Watched him play from when I was a kid rest in peace to a great legend