Hall of Fame goaltender Tony Esposito died on Tuesday after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, the Blackhawks announced.
He was 78 years old.
“The National Hockey League, the Chicago Blackhawks and the city of Chicago lost a beloved member of the hockey family earlier today with the passing of Tony Esposito,” commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “From his arrival in the Windy City in the late 1960s through an illustrious playing career and decades as a franchise icon, Tony left an indelible mark – both on the ice and in the community – over the next 52 years. Beyond the individual awards – and there were many, including a Calder Trophy, numerous All-Star and Vezina Trophy recognitions, and ultimately election to the Hockey Hall of Fame – it was Esposito’s style, charisma and heart that endeared him most to hockey fans not only in Chicago but across the NHL. ‘Tony O’ was a fierce competitor who also took great pride in being an entertainer, whether it was with his pioneering butterfly style during his playing days or interacting with fans across the League as one of this game’s great ambassadors. The hockey world will miss him greatly. The NHL family extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Marilyn, sons Mark (Kim) and Jason, and grandchildren Lauren and Kamryn.”
Esposito is the Blackhawks' all-time leader in wins and shutouts. He played for Chicago for his entire playing career from 1969-84, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1970 and the Vezina Trophy three times, in 1970, 1972, and 1974 He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Upon retirement Esposito worked for the Penguins during the 1988-89 season and part of the 1989-90 season as general manager and vice president of hockey operations, succeeding Eddie Johnston in the management role.
Under Esposito, the Penguins went 40-33-7 in 1988-89 and returned to the playoffs after a six-year streak of not qualifying. In the first round of the playoffs the Penguins swept the Rangers, who were managed at the time by Phil Esposito, Tony's brother. The Penguins went on to lose to the Flyers in seven games.
Esposito drafted Mark Recchi in the fourth round in 1988. During that year Esposito made trades to acquire Tom Barrasso, Wendell Young, among others.
When the Penguins started the 1989-90 season 10-14-2, Esposito and head coach Gene Ubriaco were fired on Dec. 5 and both replaced by Craig Patrick.
