Obituaries

Blackhawks Hall Of Fame Goaltender Tony Esposito Dies At 78

Esposito spent most of his nearly 16-year NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Tony Esposito (pictured in 1977), a Hall of Fame goaltender who played almost his entire 16-year career with the Blackhawks, has died following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, the team announced Tuesday.
Tony Esposito (pictured in 1977), a Hall of Fame goaltender who played almost his entire 16-year career with the Blackhawks, has died following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, the team announced Tuesday. (AP Photo)

CHICAGO, IL — Tony Esposito, a Hall of Fame goaltender who played almost his entire 16-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks, has died following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, the team announced on Tuesday. He was 78.

Esposito debuted with Montreal during the 1968-69 season and appeared in 13 games. He was then taken by the Blackhawks in an intraleague draft, quickly emerging as one of the league's best goalies.

He won the Calder Trophy in 1970 as the NHL's best rookie, as well as the Vezina Trophy given to the top goaltender. He also won the Vezina in 1972 and 1974.

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Esposito is Chicago's career leader with 418 wins and 74 shutouts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and joined his brother Phil, who played 18 seasons in the NHL.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN, AP Sports Writer

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