Tony Esposito, a HOF goalie who played for 16 seasons in the NHL, died on 8/10 at age 78.

Beginning his career in 1968-69 playing for Montreal, he went to the Blackhawks over the summer, and became a netminding legend in old Chicago Stadium. During 1969-70, he led the NHL with 38 wins, a save percentage of .932, and established a new record for most shutouts in one season, blanking opponents 15 times. He also won both the Calder and Vezina Trophies.

Overall, he won two more Vezina Trophies and was named to 5 NHL All-Star teams. He also led the league in wins in 1970-71 (35) and also came in atop NHL netminders in 1971-72 with a miniscule 1.77 GAA, which included 9 shutouts.

In his 13 games with the Canadiens, he wore both #1 and #29. In his 15 years with Chicago, he donned the #35 sweater. That was very unusual at the tie, as goalies of that era almost all wore either #s 1, 30,or 31. His brother Phil was best known as a Boston Bruin, but spent several seasons with the Blackhawks before that.

Dave Miedema