In Memoriam RIP Tony Esposito (1943-2021)

[Fenway]

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[Kitty Hawk]

I met him in the mid 70s and he was very pleasant. Definitely a Chicago legend. RIP.

 

[snowkiddin]

Too bad, was a legend

 

[OilerMcLord]

 

[vikash1987]

Very sad news. Heartfelt condolences.

 

[Habsfan18]

That seriously sucks.

RIP, Tony O.

 

[BadgerBruce]

Such sad news.

He was a truly great goalie and so much fun to watch. Unique style that was effective and entertaining.

RIP.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

It’s very quiet here tonight. He’s the second best player to come from the Soo.

 

[pvr]

Very saddened by this. Tony O was iconic. Met him when I was a child sometime around 1971 after a Hawks practice. Still have his signature on a slip of paper.

 

[LeBlondeDemon10]

78 still seems so young. RIP

 

[Fenway]

 

[Moose Head]

I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t a fan of him. Great goalie and great guy.

 

[Melrose Munch]

rest in peace

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

I got to meet him once, very nice guy. I asked him if there was any player that always gave him trouble as a shooter, he said that Gordie Howe did, and then pointed out that Gretzky never gave him much trouble and was fairly easy for him to read. I never thought to see what the numbers said on that until today, and it checks out...

Tony Esposito vs. Wayne Gretzky (goals only)
18 GP - 6 GA

Of the above 2 GP and 1 GA were in the playoffs

Of course I'm not looking at assists, and I did see Wayne's name quite a bit in that column...maybe he knew Esposito played him well and focused more on distributing.

 

[McGuillicuddy]

I got to meet him once, very nice guy. I asked him if there was any player that always gave him trouble as a shooter, he said that Gordie Howe did, and then pointed out that Gretzky never gave him much trouble and was fairly easy for him to read. I never thought to see what the numbers said on that until today, and it checks out...

Tony Esposito vs. Wayne Gretzky (goals only)
18 GP - 6 GA

Of the above 2 GP and 1 GA were in the playoffs
)
Of course I'm not looking at assists, and I did see Wayne's name quite a bit in that column...maybe he knew Esposito played him well and focused more on distributing.

Esposito was holding Gretzky to a 27G/season pace. Considering the torrid pace that Gretzky was scoring at in those days (1980-84) that's not a bad result for a goalie in his post-prime years .

 

[JackSlater]

I find Esposito a bit underrated. This isn't a popular opinion but I lean toward him being the best goaltender of the 70s.

 

[Dingo]

I find Esposito a bit underrated. This isn't a popular opinion but I lean toward him being the best goaltender of the 70s.

i find him to be quite underrated, too.

 

[Staniowski]

Legends of Hockey: Tony Esposito

 

[Fenway]

His name IS on the Cup