Tony Esposito started his NHL career with 13 games in the Montreal Canadiens, but it was in another club that he would become known throughout the hockey world.
In the Chicago Blackhawks, Esposito played 886 regular season games.
He won 418 of them, kept 76 zeros and was rewarded for his efforts in the box with three Vezina Trophys, which are awarded to the NHL's best goalkeeper.
He also won the Calder Trophy, as the NHL's best rookie, during his first full season for the Blackhawks 1969-70.
"Have lost a legend"
Tony Esposito died in the suites of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday.
He turned 78 years old.
"The Blackhawks and the NHL have lost a legend in Tony Espositio," Chicago Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement.
Tony Esposito was the younger brother of Phil Esposito, also a legendary hockey player.
Martin Brodeur, 49, goalkeeper icon with the most wins ever in the NHL among goalkeepers (691), writes on Twitter:
- Sorry to hear about the death of the great Tony Esposito.
He had an incredible impact on hockey as a sport, the HHOF (Hockey Hall of Fame) and the goalkeeping community.
My condolences to Tony's family.