Blackhawks legend Tony Esposito passes away following battle with pancreatic cancer

We’ve got some sad news to share coming out of the hockey world.

It has been confirmed that Chicago Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Tony Esposito has died from pancreatic cancer. He was 78 years old at the time of his death.

“Tony was one of the most important and popular figures in the history of the franchise as we near its 100th anniversary,” said Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz.

“He was tireless, reliable, and a great teammate.”

Esposito enjoyed a short stint with the Montreal Canadiens where he won a Stanley Cup as a backup goalie in 1969, but moved on to join the Blackhawks organization the following season. He ended up spending the rest of his rest of his career in the Windy City.

He posted a combined 423-306-151 record, 2.92 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and 76 shutouts over a span of 886 games and 16 NHL seasons before retiring following the 1983/84 campaign.