Tony Esposito is an outstanding Canadian ice hockey player. The legendary goalkeeper of the twentieth century, who took part in the star Super Series of 1972 USSR - Canada. According to the famous overseas magazine The Hockey News, he is one of the twenty best goalkeepers in NHL history.
When it comes to the pioneers of ice hockey, everyone immediately remembers the Canadian professionals. It is in this country that hockey is the most widespread sport, and many Canadian hockey players are real legends not only within the domestic arena, but throughout the world.
Childhood and first steps in hockey Tony Esposito
Many Canadian boys, from an early age, take golf clubs in their hands and, wherever there is ice, begin to play hockey. So was the native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Tony Esposito. Anthony James Esposito (this is the full name of the hockey player) was born in 1943. He was not the only child in the family. His older brother Phil was also fond of hockey, and in the future he turned into a Canadian legend, known in our country as well. The brothers' characters were completely different. If the older brother Phil was very emotional, then Tony was calm. Therefore, when two novice hockey players played with each other on improvised hockey rinks, the youngest was destined to get into the goal. As Tony himself recalls, his brother Phil could not allow his place in the goal defense, and, according to his seniority, took the opportunity to make Esposito a junior goalkeeper. At that time, none of them imagined how bright their career would be in the best hockey league in the world.
Tony Esposito's professional career began in Vancouver. In 1967, he first appeared on the ice with the Vancouver Canucks. Spent one season in this team. It's worth noting that the Vancouver-based team had yet to join the NHL in the late seventies. After Vancouver, Tony Esposito moved to the Houston team, where he spent the 1968-1969 season. This team was the last preparatory stage for the goalkeeper's transfer to the National Hockey League club.
The first NHL club
The first club in the NHL for Tony Esposito was the famous Montreal Canadiens. Anthony made his debut in the team quite late - at the age of 26. But his first season 1968-1969 was a triumphant one for him. Even despite the fact that Esposito took part in only 13 meetings, he inscribed his name in the history of world sports as the winner of the Stanley Cup. The debutant's statistics in Montreal draws attention - out of 13 games in two of them, he kept the goal intact. Unfortunately, it was not possible to repeat the success with the conquest of the coveted Esposito cup. But even one-time Stanley Cup winners are NHL legends of all time.
Esposito's Chicago career
After a triumphant season in Montreal, Tony Esposito moved to Chicago. In "Black Hawk Down", the goalkeeper's hockey biography was supplemented by fourteen seasons. Anthony has become a true legend of the club, won several valuable individual NHL awards.
Already at the end of his first season in Chicago, Tony Esposito received an individual award for the best goalkeeper in the league. Out of 63 matches in his debut season in the new team, he has issued 15 clean sheets. This result was not surpassed by Tony until the end of his career.
Love for hockey, dedication to Chicago bore fruit in the following seasons. In 1972 and 1974 he again received the Vezina Trophy as the best gatekeeper.
Tony Esposito finished his career in Chicago only in 1984.
Esposito was involved in the ranks of the national team. Took part in the USSR Super Series - Canada in 1972. In most matches, Ken Dryden was the main goalkeeper of the Canadian professionals, but Tony himself went on the ice as a replacement and showed his skills. In 1977, Esposito competed at the World Championships.
Very little is known about Tony Esposito's personal life in Russia. The public showed more interest in his older brother Phil.
