Phil Esposito: Hockey Legend

Phil Esposito was born in Sault St. Marie, Ontario in 1942 and joined the Chicago Blackhawks 22 years later in 1964. Esposito quickly established himself as one of the premiere goal scorers in the league, centering Bobby Hull while playing with the Blackhawks.

He was the first player in National Hockey League history to score over 100 points in one season (1969), notching an amazing 126 on his way to the first of five Art Ross trophies. Esposito won two stanley cups with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972 as he and Bobby Orr instilled fear in goaltenders around the league.

With six consecutive All-Star appearances and two Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player, there was no doubt that Esposito would be placed into the Hockey hall of Fame. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984, Esposito would move on to Manage and Coach the New York Rangers for three seasons and was instrumental in founding the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992.

The following video is footage of Esposito’s Boston garden Jersey Retirement ceremony. He gives a small speech in which he quiets a standing ovation by the Boston Garden fans by saying “Ladies and gentleman…please, give me one second”.

If you are a big Esposito fan, you can pick up a nice Phil Esposito Autographed 8X10 from Amazon.com.