Chicago Blackhawks Honor Tony Esposito Ceremony Part 2

Part 2 of the ceremony honoring Tony Esposito on March 19, 2008. The Blackhawks welcomed back their great Hall of Fame goaltender after the previous owner had neglected the relationship for decades. Among Tony-O's former teammates brought back to help honor him were Rick Paterson, Peter Marsh, Troy Murray, Denis Savard, Dale Tallon and a special appearance by Tony's Hall of Fame brother Phil.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• nhl
• chicago
• blackhawks
• hockey
• pregame
• ceremony
• tony
• esposito
• tony-o
• 35
• hall
• of
• fame
• goaltender
• goalie
• phil

[vinnynumbnuts]

Awesome, man! Thanks so much, chgojobs. Tony-O walking out there and putting on the mask brought tears to my eyes. Tony was the best in my eyes and a great human being. Love him always.

[AllenHarms88]

Tony was truly the best goalie to play in the 70's, him and Ken Dryden. He is in the top 10 for shutouts and wins as a goaltender and it is really crap that he didn't get a cup as a Blackhawk, he won a cup with Montreal but he only played as a backup that season.

[greenwilly69]

great tribute for one of the all-time greats, I love how they had the goalies take the ceremonial faceoff!

[TNO73]

@NewRiff I have to agree. He is the reason I started watching hockey. Considering some of the teams Chicago had his stats are incredible. You look at the other big name goalies of the 70's & Dryden comes to mind, but when you look at his stats & the team in front of him. Tony O would have the most wins, shutouts, everything if he had of stayed with Montreal. Still I am glad he became a Hawk & became one of the greatest ever.

[pjartmanstudio]

Greatist Goalie on Earth!!

[NewRiff]

Tony! Tony!

He was the very best, hands down. He amazed us time and time again.

Against countless legendary players.

Loved his style, too - on and off the ice: I remember in like '70 or '71, seeing Tony-O pull out of the players parking lot after the game, driving a killer yellow sports car with license plates "TE 35" !!! Oh man, we just went crazy over seeing that!! LOL

Tony, you were the greatest.

p.s. Thank you, Rocky, for making things right with the alumni.  Good vibes.

[Scoclamor]

@IMJaybo and Cheevers and Fast Eddie. Plus the "others" Roggie Vachon, Billy Smith, Gilles Gilbert...

[jimringomartin]

I love Tony O. Reason I became a goalie as well. The golden age of Chicago Hockey. Always thought his mask looked like the Mummy. Miss those days.

[IMJaybo]

Esposito, Dryden, and don't forget Bernie Parent. Giants!

[ozky10]

i didn't know that he was a back-up for one season with the Habs before his career with the chicago black hawks. i met his brother phil when the ''lightning'' played against the florida panthers.