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Tony Esposito (born April 23, 1943) was a
professional ice hockey goalie in the National
Hockey League. 

Esposito grew up Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault
Ste. Marie, Ontario with his brother, fellow
future NHL star Phil Esposito.  He played college
hockey for Michigan Tech University.

He first played pro for the Montreal Canadiens in
the 1968-1969 season serving as the backup goalie.
 A famous game against the Boston Bruins, lead by
his brother Phil, ended in a 0-0 tie.  As backup
goalie he won the Stanley Cup, but did not
actually play any games in the playoffs.

The next year he moved to the Chicago Blackhawks
and with Chicago had a spectacular season setting
a modern day NHL record with 15 shutouts.  He won
both the Calder Trophy and the Vezina Trophy and
made the first team All-Stars. The next year he
again proved to be one of the league's best
goalies and was again nominated for the Vezina. 
He took the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup finals,
but they lost to Montreal.  The next year he
shared the Vezina with his back-up goalie Gary
Smith (hockey player)|Gary Smith.  He played in
the 1972 Summit Series along with Ken Dryden.  He
was the first goalie to earn a win against the
Soviets.  In 1973 the Blackhawks again lost to
Montreal in the finals.  In 1974 he again won the
Vezina, but shared the honour with Bernie Parent.

The next several years as Montreal and
Philadelphia dominated the league Esposito and the
Blackhawks suffered through a series of mediocre
seasons.  In 1980 he returned to the All Star team
due to his six shutouts. 

In 1981 he adopted an American citizenship and
played for the them in the Canada Cup. He retired
from professional play in 1985 and was named to
the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.