Philip Anthony Esposito (born February 20, 1942 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) was one of the best professional ice hockey players of the 1960s and 1970s.
Originally a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, he was traded to the Boston Bruins where he became the first NHL player to score 100 points in a season with 126 in the 1968-1969 season.
Esposito was named to the All-NHL 1st team six consecutive times (from 1969 to 1974), and was named league MVP in 1969 and 1974. His Boston fans printed and displayed bumper stickers during his best years to celebrate his scoring: they read, "Jesus saves. Espo scores on the rebound."
During the 1970-71 season, Esposito broke the record for most goals scored in a season when he finished up with 76. This was a record that would remain until February 1982 when Wayne Gretzky scored his 77th, 78th and 79th goal against the Buffalo Sabres. Esposito was on hand to present the game puck to Gretzky.
Since his retirement, he has served in administrative positions for several teams in the National Hockey League, and was the President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning for several years during the 1990s. He is brother to another hockey great, Tony Esposito. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
In 1972, he won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's outstanding male athlete of the year and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Career highlights
Last updated: 02-07-2005 02:58:19
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55
