Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “,….. proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community….
Hockey Hall of Fame netminder Tony Esposito passed away last week,
Esposito, best known for his years of being the star goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks actually started his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens in the late 60’s.
However, because Montreal felt they were goalie rich with Gump Worsley and Rogie Vachon they left Esposito unprotected and for a $ 25,000 price tag he was acquired by Chicago in the interleague draft.
Esposito burst onto the Hawks scene in 1969-70, leading Chicago to 1st place in the East with 38 wins including 15 shutouts
For his efforts that year, Esposito won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year plus he captured the first of 3 career Vezina Trophies as the league’s best netminder.
Tony Esposito was also on the fabled Team Canada squad that won the 1972 Summit Series with the Russians.
Initially, Esposito was supposed to be backup for Ken Dryden with Team Canada, but he started in 4 of the 8 games, winning the pivotal 2nd game in Toronto, tying Game 3 at Winnipeg, losing Game 5 at Russia and then winning the crucial 7th game to keep Canada alive.
Tony Esposito was 78.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace.