Born Anthony James Esposito, April 23, 1943, at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he demonstrated enough talent to earn a hockey scholarship at Michigan Tech University. He broke into the NHL during the 1968-69 season with the Canadiens, playing 13 games. There in Montreal he also earned his one and only Stanley Cup-ring. In the offseason in 1969 he was aquuired by Chicago Chicago in the 1969 Intra-League draft. From that time on he was outstanding with the Blackhawks until retirement after the 1983-84 season. 

His first full season saw him win the Calder and Vezina Trophies as he posted a 2.17 GAA and 15 shutouts in 63 games. He would go on to win or share 3 Vezinas, and five All Star berths. He thrived on a heavy work load. In fact, over 8 year stretch he averaged 68 games a season. Tony Esposito played a total of 886 games in the NHL, winning 423, losing 307 and earning a draw in another 151. He also earned 76 shutouts to place him among the all-time leaders in that department, and a very fine 2.92 goals-against-average. In 99 playoff games, Tony won 45, lost 53 and had a 3.07 average. 

One of Esposito's most prized memories remains the sharing of goaltending duties with Ken Dryden in 1972 when Team Canada played the Soviet Nationals in the famed Series of The Century. Canada edged the Soviet, four games to three with one game tied, in an emotionally charged set of games which helped pave the way for many more exciting and entertaining international games to come.

He was a bit of an unorthodox goalie. He would play the butterfly style to stop shots, which wasn't as common as it is today. He often would cheat to one side when facing a shooter, displaying extra room and forcing the shooter to shoot, but then would quickly take it away with his glove hand.

Tony Esposito is without doubt one of the greatest goalies of All Time. Had he played on a better team, maybe he would be considered the best.