Tony Esposito, a Hall of Fame goalie and a fixture with the Chicago Blackhawks, died today at the age of just 78.Rocky Wirtz, Blackhawks owner, stated in a statement that Esposito was in a short battle with pancreatic carcinoma.Chicago drafted Esposito in 1969 from Montreal Canadiens as an intra-league draft. He was a Blackhawks icon. He was an All-Star in his first full season and won the Calder Trophy for rookie of the Year and the Vezina Trophy for league's best goaltender.He spent 15 years in Chicago, winning twice the Vezina and being on four additional All-Star teams.Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, said that Tony Esposito died earlier today. "The National Hockey League and the Chicago Blackhawks lost a loved member of the hockey community earlier today." Tony Esposito left an indelible legacy on the ice, as well as in the community, from his arrival in Chicago in the late 1960s to his legendary playing career and decades of being a franchise icon over the next 52-year period.Esposito's charisma, style and heart were what made him the most beloved by hockey fans in Chicago and across the NHL. "Tony O" was a tough competitor, but he also loved being an entertainer. He was known for his innovative butterfly style and his interaction with League fans as one of the game's greatest ambassadors. His absence will be felt deeply by the hockey world.
