If you’re younger than 45, the likelihood you saw Chicago Blackhawks goalie legend Tony Esposito at his peak in person is pretty slim.
Esposito recorded 15 shutouts during the 1969-70 season. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1970, 1972 and 1974. He finished in the top 10 in the Hart Trophy voting seven times, with the last one coming in 1980. He retired in 1984.
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Some millennials may have been taken at a young age to see Esposito at the Chicago Stadium. There would be more from Generation X who would recall seeing him. He’d definitely be in the wheelhouse for baby boomers. Regardless of whether you saw Esposito play firsthand, most Blackhawks fans have a general sense of how good Esposito was in net. His Hall of Fame status, his No. 35 jersey hanging from the United Center rafters and just how he’s been celebrated by the Blackhawks to this day has given fans, new and old, an idea of what Esposito meant to the organization. As always, reading Bob Verdi on Esposito is a great reference point to all that, too.
Despite that limited range of fans who actually saw Esposito play, his recent passing due to pancreatic cancer shook Blackhawks fans of all ages. While Esposito’s on-ice excellence may have been largely known by just reputation for a lot of fans, so many more fans over the years got to experience who Esposito was off the ice. His death was mourned for the person he was maybe more than the player he was.
Fans were recently asked to share their memorable interactions with Esposito. The following stories paint a picture of someone who loved life, was giving of his time, enjoyed telling stories immensely and always wanted fans to leave his presence happy.
“My grandpa Lou Cuddy used to work security back in the day when Tony, Stan (Mikita), Bobby (Hull) and all the other legends were in their prime. My grandpa grew very close to these guys and they all had great relationships together. Back in 2007 or 2008, I got the opportunity to meet Mr. Esposito at the Blackhawks Convention. After a few days searching for him, my grandpa pointed out Tony to me and I approached him for an autograph. I knew it was a long shot since they haven’t seen each other in years, but I asked Mr. Esposito if he knew my grandpa. He looked at me perplexed because why would he know some random kid’s grandpa, but he then asked, ‘Well, son, what is his name?’ I told him who my grandpa was and his eyes lit up as this was a name he hadn’t heard in years. I pointed him in the direction of my grandpa and they were able to chat with each other and catch up.
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“Ever since that day, I have had the utmost respect for Mr. Esposito. He took the time out of his day to greet me and talk to my grandpa even when hundreds of people were hounding him for pictures and autographs. Hands down, an all-around guy and I am grateful that I was able to meet him and have such a good memory.” — Ryan Cuddy
“So before I had my son and before COVID, I was an avid attendee of the Hawks convention, every summer, all days. First year, we didn’t even get a hotel room, we just slept around the hotel. Anyway, we would wait by the back door at the hotel waiting for players to come in or out, and Tony Esposito was coming back from dinner — he told us we should order some! – and at the time there were probably 25-30 people outside with my friend and I. He stopped and talked to EVERY SINGLE PERSON that was standing outside. He signed whatever, took photos, listened to people’s stories, responded and shared his own stories. He never one time made anyone feel like they were inconveniencing him by taking up his time. He truly loved the fans and will always be remembered as an INCREDIBLE player and a true class act.” – Kate Halterman
“I had the pleasure of meeting Tony in a local bar in St. Pete Beach Florida, just outside of Tampa. It’s right down the street from a place that I have stayed with my family for years, and we had just recently found out that he lived nearby and frequented this bar. I actually happened to be in the area because we won tickets to the Hawks vs. Lightning, and the night before the game we decided to stop in that bar to try and catch him. To our luck, there he was, sitting at the bar chatting it up with fans like they were his best friends. Eventually, when his conversation ended, my dad approached him because me and my friend were too nervous, mind you we had to be around 12 years old. He got up with my dad and actually came over to our table to greet us, and my family and I spoke with him for about 10 minutes. He signed our my hat and my mom’s jersey. One of the most personable NHL players, and people for that matter, that I have ever met, and I will never forget my interaction with him.” — Joey Engel
“I met Tony Esposito at a signing at a local Galyan’s (before Dick’s Sporting Goods bought them out). I was likely around 11 years old at the time. Like most signings, there was a long line and limits on one autograph per guest and security wanted to keep the line moving. When we finally got to the front of the line, though, Tony didn’t really seem to care about any of that. He was happy to sign a jersey and puck for me, and while my mom tried to get a picture with me in front of the table while he signed, very joyously he invited me behind the table with him for a proper picture and was making conversation with me. It was a brief interaction, but it left me with the impression of Tony being an incredibly friendly and inviting person.” — Dan Bridge
“Tony was one of the first ‘legacy’ players I had ever met, and, boy, did he ever set the standard high. Tony was signing copies of a book at the UC and was more than happy to take photos with any passerby. My fiancée and I stopped to have him sign the book and take the photo, but what really stuck out to me was his genuine interest in talking to us. He wanted to know what we did for a living and was elated when he found out my fiancée was a kindergarten teacher. Even after the signing was done, he stood and talked to us for a few minutes, asking why we chose the careers we chose. I know it’s a mundane story, but it was the most memorable player encounter I’ve ever had. Such a genuine and incredibly kind person.” — Justin Hedman
“In March 2016, the seven Paprocki brothers had supper at the Stadium Club before the game, and Tony Esposito was eating at the table next to us. We asked him if he’d mind taking a photo with us, and thought that would be the end of our encounter. But Tony came over to our table multiple times before we were done eating. I think he wanted to hang out with us. Once he questioned what was up with all the little appetizer plates my brothers were using and pointed to my dinner plate filled with beef, shrimp, lamb, etc., and said, ‘Now that’s how you do it!’ A little later he stopped by again and liked that we all had beers, and he wanted to know who the big beer drinker of the group was. Of course, all fingers pointed to me right away. The next time he stopped by we asked him about his championship ring. Instead of just showing us the ring, he proceeded to fake-punch me in the cheek with it. Finally, as dinner was winding down, I felt two hands massaging my shoulders. It was Tony again, just wanting to see how we all were doing. I kind of wanted to ask him if he’d like to play poker or go bowling with us some time. I think he might have joined us.” — Al Paprocki
“I was a season-ticket holder for the Blackhawks, and a friend worked at Wirtz Beverage. He invited me for lunch with Tony O. It was just the three of us. I grew up in New York loving the Rangers in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The lunch lasted three hours. We discussed players from the Original Six, and he had story after story. He was so entertaining. He was enjoying the stories, and we just kept talking. At another Blackhawk function, I introduced him to my wife and he could not have been nicer. Quality individual that loved people and loved hockey. I will never forget the lunch and his personality.” – Kelly Cunningham
“I was 13 in the fall of 2004 when I saw in the newspaper that Tony was going to be at a signing event at a Home Depot in Glendale Heights. I talked my dad into taking my sister and me there. We stood in line in the drywall aisle starting at noon. The line moved slowly and we were worried we wouldn’t be able to see him, as the event was supposed to end at 2. Shortly before 2, a Home Depot employee came and said Tony had canceled his flight to stay and greet the fans who were still in line. I thought that was really kind of him. When we got to meet him, at 4 p.m., we found out why the line moved so slowly; he was genuinely enjoying chatting with the fans and getting to know them. We were supposed to only get one picture of him signed, but he saw I brought a jersey and trading card and he gladly signed them both. Then he posed for a picture with my dad, sister and me.
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Fifteen years later, I went with my family to a Blackhawks vs. Red Wings game at the United Center to celebrate my grandpa’s 80th birthday. We went out for dinner after the game. As we were being led to our table by the hostess, Tony and his wife walked in the front door. I stopped my grandpa and said we should go say hi. He and Tony chatted for a bit about what it is like to grow old. Tony said his secret to staying healthy is to keep moving. Later, when we were seated at our table, Tony came to find us and gave my grandpa a Blackhawks winter hat as a birthday present. It was a giveaway from a previous game, but he treasures the hat to this day. He also took Tony’s advice to heart; he’s gone for a couple walks around the block every single day since then. Tony was a great goalie and a great human.” — Ben Jenkins
“Me and my daughter met him at the Hawks store on Michigan Avenue. Didn’t know me from a hole in the ground, but still asked me how I was, what I did for a living. He talked to us for about 10 minutes. Most authentic former athlete I have ever met.” — Bill Demma
“Some years ago, I attended a sports card show at St. Joseph High School because Tony was the autograph guest. Bought my tickets and waited in line with everyone else. However, the line didn’t move quickly. The promoters finally had to tell Tony to talk less with the fans because the line wasn’t moving. Finally got my turn. Tony signed my Northland goalie stick, picture and card. Shook my hand and was very friendly to me. I had, at last, met my childhood hero.” – Mike Walsh
“Back in 2013, I won a Chicago Tribune raffle and the grand prize was two tickets to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final and a pre-game dinner with a Blackhawks ambassador. We showed up to the Stadium Club and Tony walked in the door. He was as gracious as ever. I think Tony was really happy that my friend and I were normal guys that did not want to bug him about hockey. Tony was a talker and had a LOT of opinions. Tony said that when he came in for games, the Hawks would put him up at the Hotel Lincoln. He went on for about 10 minutes about all the yuppies and how everyone had a dog. He could not get over how everyone had a dog. We spoke briefly about hockey, but he said that his brother was the best hockey player he ever saw. At the end of the dinner, he made sure my friend and I left with two drinks each because he said, ‘I think those are like 20 bucks inside.’ As he was leaving, he told my friend and I, ‘Good luck dodging the strollers and dogs in Lincoln Park.’”– Adam Maciorowski
“I live in Markham, Ontario, which is a border city to Toronto. I have been a Blackhawks avid fan for over 50 years, I’m currently 61, and I’m fortunate enough that I attend most of the Blackhawks games in Toronto. In fact, once a year I was lucky enough to sit first row behind the Blackhawks bench in Maple Leaf Gardens, no glass between the players and fans back then. (I still have) a ticket from October 11, 1975, and of course, Tony was in net.
“In 2011, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to meet Tony Esposito at Frozen Pond, a local sports memorabilia store. Tony was there with Phil signing autographs. I brought my Tony bobblehead which he graciously signed, and he asked me if I was at the game in which it was given out. I also showed him the sweatshirt from Tony Esposito Night on March 19, 2008. We spent at least 15 minutes talking about his successful career, major milestones and achievements. In fact, he asked me about my family and what I did for a living, such a down-to-earth person. There is no question that Tony was the greatest Blackhawks goaltender of all time. He revolutionized the game and his record of 15 shutouts in a single season will stand forever.” — Joel Lustig
(Top photo: Chase Agnello-Dean / NHLI via Getty Images)
