Tony Esposito is an outstanding Canadian hockey player. The legendary goalkeeper of the twentieth century, who took part in the star Superseries 1972 of the USSR - Canada. According to the famous overseas magazine, The Hockey News is among the twenty best goalkeepers in NHL history.
When it comes to the pioneers of ice hockey, everyone immediately recalls Canadian professionals. In this country, hockey is the most common sport, and many Canadian hockey players are true legends not only within the domestic arena, but also around the world.
Childhood and first steps in hockey Tony Esposito
Many Canadian boys take clubs in their hands from an early age and begin to play hockey wherever there is ice. That was Tony Esposito, a native of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Anthony James Esposito (this is the full name of the hockey player) was born in 1943. He was not the only child in the family. His older brother Phil was also fond of hockey, and in the future turned into a Canadian legend, well-known in our country. The characters of the brothers were completely different. If the elder brother Phil was very emotional, then Tony was calm. Therefore, when two beginner hockey players played with each other on improvised hockey venues, the youngest was destined to get in the goal. As Tony himself recalls, his brother Phil could not allow his place in the defense of the goal, and due to his seniority he took the opportunity to make the Esposito junior goalkeeper. Then none of them had ever imagined how bright their career in the best hockey league in the world would be.
Tony Esposito's professional career began in Vancouver. In 1967, he first appeared on the ice as part of the Vancouver Canucks. Spent one season in this team. It is worth noting that in the late seventies the team from Vancouver has not yet joined the NHL. After Vancouver, Tony Esposito joined the Houston team, where he spent the 1968-1969 season. This team was the last preparatory stage for the goalkeeper to join the club of the National Hockey League.
First NHL Club
The first NHL club for Tony Esposito was the famous Montreal Canadiens. Anthony made his debut in the team quite late - at 26 years old. But his first season of 1968-1969 was a triumph for him. Even though Esposito took part in only 13 meetings, he entered his name in the history of world sports as the holder of the Stanley Cup. The statistics of the debutant in Montreal are noteworthy - out of 13 games in two of them, he kept the goal intact. Unfortunately, it was not possible to repeat success with the conquest of the cherished cup of Esposito. But even the one-time Stanley Cup winners are NHL legends of all time.
