Phil Esposito

One of the game's greatest forwards and one of the game's greatest goalies grew up in the same family home. Phil practiced shooting against brother Tony for hours on end, and by 1970 both had reached the top of the hockey world and we're both named to the First All Star Team.

Tony is best known as a Chicago Blackhawk. It is often forgotten that Phil got his start in the NHL in the Windy City (in 1963-64), though it was a few years before Tony arrived. Phil of course is best known as a Boston Bruin and to a lesser degree as a New York Rangers.

Phil played three seasons as a Blackhawk, and was once touted as Bobby Hull's center of the future. However 3 and 1/2 seasons of averaging around 20 goals and 55 points, Chicago changed their mind on him. They felt he wasn't living up to his potential, and that his skating wasn't quick enough.

Phil joined the Bruins in a six player trade in 1967 from Chicago. Hindsight is always 20/20, but history tells us that this trade was one of the most lopsided in NHL history. Espo, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield were all sent to Boston and would all become key players of one of hockey's most explosive teams in the 1970s. Going to Chicago was Pit Martin, Jack Norris and Gilles Marotte.

Esposito was teamed up with Bobby Orr in Boston, forming one of the most dynamic scoring duos in hockey history. Orr would dance around from his point position with no one knowing how to defend against hockey's first offensively dominant defenseman. Esposito would park himself in the slot, readying himself for a pass, a deflection or a rebound. He was such a master of scoring garbage goals that a common saying in Boston in these days was "Jesus saves, but Espo scores on the rebound." Stan Fischler once dubbed Espo as the "highest paid garbage collector in the United States."

In his very first year in Boston Espo led the entire league in assists. By year two He became the first player to break the 100 point plateau. In fact, he smashed the old record held by Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. Both of those magnificent Chicago players shared the record with 97 points in a single season. In 1968-69, Phil scored 126 points!! Two years later he would again post mind boggling totals of 76 goals and 76 assists for 152 points, unheard of stats then especially, and even by today's standards absolutely amazing!

Three years after the trade Espo led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup, ending a 29 year drought for the B's. Although Bobby Orr's flying-through-the-air Cup clinching goal against the Blues is best remembered, Esposito had an incredible playoff, scoring 13 goals and 27 points in just 14 games, leading all post season scorers in each category Two years later, the Bruins won another Stanley Cup with Esposito scoring 24 points in 15 games.

During his 8 1/2 years in Boston, Phil won 5 scoring titles and finished second twice. He led the NHL in goal scoring 6 straight seasons from 1969-70 to 1974-75. He was named to either the first or second All Star team each year he wore the black and gold. He was also a two time winner of the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Pearson Trophy (MVP as chosen by the players), as well as the recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy for contribution to hockey in the U.S.

Espo should be known as the greatest offensive force prior to Gretzky and Lemieux, but he was overshadowed by his even more amazing teammate Bobby Orr. And despite all the accolades and awards, Phil somehow never quite got the recognition he deserved. All of his success was credited to the presence of Orr. Despite the fact he was smashing the records of Gordie Howe or Maurice Richard, no one has ever placed him in their stratosphere. This could be because of his lack of graceful style as a hockeyist.

One of Espo's greatest hockey moments occurred in Europe. When Orr missed the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviets with a bad knee, Esposito took charge of the team and was the inspirational leader. He played a level never reached before. While everyone remembers Paul Henderson's game ending heroics, it was Phil's heroic effort was a key factor in the victory and finally won him the accolades he deserved.

Phil had a great charisma, much like a Hollywood actor. He was a fan favorite throughout North America, but also in Russia. While Vladislav Tretiak became adopted by Canadian fans as the hero from the enemy team, Russian people grew to love Espo, even though his style of hockey was not seen in Russia. It largely has to do with the pre-game introductions in the first game in Moscow where Espo tripped over a loose flower and fell on his butt when he was introduced. Ever the showman, Espo got up and did a curtsy much to the delight of the Soviet fans. They rarely had seen a hockey player with such personality.

While Paul Henderson gets much of the heroic credit for his game winning goals, it is well recognized that Phil Esposito was the best player for Canada. Without him, there was no way Canada would have conquered.

Phil Esposito was traded to the New York Rangers during the 1975-76 season and would finish his career on Broadway. The reason behind the trade was that Orr's knees had finally all but given up on him, and the Bruins were looking to regroup by trading a few of their top assets.

The adjustment was at first very difficult for Phil, but he soon learned to like New York and next thing you know it could have been named Espoville - it was his kind of town! He average 30 plus goals and a point a game in his 6 seasons in New York. His Ranger highlite was during the 1978-79 playoffs when he was a great leader in the Rangers spectacular playoff drive that finished just shy of the Stanley Cup.

Phil Esposito retired in 1980-81. Phil Esposito's final statistics are absolutely mind boggling. 1282 games played, 717 goals, 873 assists for 1590 points! At the time of his retirement only Gordie Howe had amassed more points! He added 61 goals and 137 points in 130 playoff games and 30 points in 25 international games. Not bad for a guy who didn't learn to skate until he was a teenager.

Espo's career highlight came after retirement. On Dec. 3, 1987 the Bruins retired their great leader's jersey. Ray Bourque, whose stature is such that he need not defer to anyone, relinquished his No. 7 and from then on wore 77, so that Esposito's jersey could be retired and elevated to the rafters of the Garden.

"I don't care (about being inducted into) the Hall of Fame, to tell you the truth," he said. "My biggest thrill was having my number retired at Boston Garden. That to me is where it's at."

In retirement Phil became a pitchman and a broadcaster, but he also was a successful hockey executive. He became general manager and for a short time head coach of the New York Rangers. Later he was one of the founders of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Phil Esposito

One of the game's greatest forwards and one of the game's greatest goalies grew up in the same family home. Phil practiced shooting against brother Tony for hours on end, and by 1970 both had reached the top of the hockey world and we're both named to the First All Star Team.

Tony is best known as a Chicago Blackhawk. It is often forgotten that Phil got his start in the NHL in the Windy City (in 1963-64), though it was a few years before Tony arrived. Phil of course is best known as a Boston Bruin and to a lesser degree as a New York Rangers.

Phil played three seasons as a Blackhawk, and was once touted as Bobby Hull's center of the future. However 3 and 1/2 seasons of averaging around 20 goals and 55 points, Chicago changed their mind on him. They felt he wasn't living up to his potential, and that his skating wasn't quick enough.

Phil joined the Bruins in a six player trade in 1967 from Chicago. Hindsight is always 20/20, but history tells us that this trade was one of the most lopsided in NHL history. Espo, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield were all sent to Boston and would all become key players of one of hockey's most explosive teams in the 1970s. Going to Chicago was Pit Martin, Jack Norris and Gilles Marotte.

Esposito was teamed up with Bobby Orr in Boston, forming one of the most dynamic scoring duos in hockey history. Orr would dance around from his point position with no one knowing how to defend against hockey's first offensively dominant defenseman. Esposito would park himself in the slot, readying himself for a pass, a deflection or a rebound. He was such a master of scoring garbage goals that a common saying in Boston in these days was "Jesus saves, but Espo scores on the rebound." Stan Fischler once dubbed Espo as the "highest paid garbage collector in the United States."

In his very first year in Boston Espo led the entire league in assists. By year two He became the first player to break the 100 point plateau. In fact, he smashed the old record held by Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. Both of those magnificent Chicago players shared the record with 97 points in a single season. In 1968-69, Phil scored 126 points!! Two years later he would again post mind boggling totals of 76 goals and 76 assists for 152 points, unheard of stats then especially, and even by today's standards absolutely amazing!

Three years after the trade Espo led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup, ending a 29 year drought for the B's. Although Bobby Orr's flying-through-the-air Cup clinching goal against the Blues is best remembered, Esposito had an incredible playoff, scoring 13 goals and 27 points in just 14 games, leading all post season scorers in each category Two years later, the Bruins won another Stanley Cup with Esposito scoring 24 points in 15 games.

During his 8 1/2 years in Boston, Phil won 5 scoring titles and finished second twice. He led the NHL in goal scoring 6 straight seasons from 1969-70 to 1974-75. He was named to either the first or second All Star team each year he wore the black and gold. He was also a two time winner of the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Pearson Trophy (MVP as chosen by the players), as well as the recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy for contribution to hockey in the U.S.

Espo should be known as the greatest offensive force prior to Gretzky and Lemieux, but he was overshadowed by his even more amazing teammate Bobby Orr. And despite all the accolades and awards, Phil somehow never quite got the recognition he deserved. All of his success was credited to the presence of Orr. Despite the fact he was smashing the records of Gordie Howe or Maurice Richard, no one has ever placed him in their stratosphere. This could be because of his lack of graceful style as a hockeyist.

One of Espo's greatest hockey moments occurred in Europe. When Orr missed the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviets with a bad knee, Esposito took charge of the team and was the inspirational leader. He played a level never reached before. While everyone remembers Paul Henderson's game ending heroics, it was Phil's heroic effort was a key factor in the victory and finally won him the accolades he deserved.

Phil had a great charisma, much like a Hollywood actor. He was a fan favorite throughout North America, but also in Russia. While Vladislav Tretiak became adopted by Canadian fans as the hero from the enemy team, Russian people grew to love Espo, even though his style of hockey was not seen in Russia. It largely has to do with the pre-game introductions in the first game in Moscow where Espo tripped over a loose flower and fell on his butt when he was introduced. Ever the showman, Espo got up and did a curtsy much to the delight of the Soviet fans. They rarely had seen a hockey player with such personality.

While Paul Henderson gets much of the heroic credit for his game winning goals, it is well recognized that Phil Esposito was the best player for Canada. Without him, there was no way Canada would have conquered.

Phil Esposito was traded to the New York Rangers during the 1975-76 season and would finish his career on Broadway. The reason behind the trade was that Orr's knees had finally all but given up on him, and the Bruins were looking to regroup by trading a few of their top assets.

The adjustment was at first very difficult for Phil, but he soon learned to like New York and next thing you know it could have been named Espoville - it was his kind of town! He average 30 plus goals and a point a game in his 6 seasons in New York. His Ranger highlite was during the 1978-79 playoffs when he was a great leader in the Rangers spectacular playoff drive that finished just shy of the Stanley Cup.

Phil Esposito retired in 1980-81. Phil Esposito's final statistics are absolutely mind boggling. 1282 games played, 717 goals, 873 assists for 1590 points! At the time of his retirement only Gordie Howe had amassed more points! He added 61 goals and 137 points in 130 playoff games and 30 points in 25 international games. Not bad for a guy who didn't learn to skate until he was a teenager.

Espo's career highlight came after retirement. On Dec. 3, 1987 the Bruins retired their great leader's jersey. Ray Bourque, whose stature is such that he need not defer to anyone, relinquished his No. 7 and from then on wore 77, so that Esposito's jersey could be retired and elevated to the rafters of the Garden.

"I don't care (about being inducted into) the Hall of Fame, to tell you the truth," he said. "My biggest thrill was having my number retired at Boston Garden. That to me is where it's at."

In retirement Phil became a pitchman and a broadcaster, but he also was a successful hockey executive. He became general manager and for a short time head coach of the New York Rangers. Later he was one of the founders of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Brother vs Brother - Tony and Phil Esposito

On December 5th, 1969 the Montreal Canadiens gave rookie goalie Tony Esposito his first NHL start. Yes, the great goalie Tony Esposito started his career in Montreal. He would play 13 games with the Habs before moving to Chicago.

That first game, though, was a real highly. Not only was it his first game in the NHL, but he was facing his brother Phil and the Boston Bruins. The game ended in a 2-2 tie and, of course, both Boston goals were scored by Phil - brother vs brother.

Phil Esposito On Sochi And Hockey In Russia

Bad Hockey Card of the Day

I like Espo's plaid pants.

Steve Baker Teaches Phil Esposito About Goaltending (Video)

Espositos Almost Reunited In Chicago

Here is something I never knew before about Phil Esposito and Tony Esposito. According to Harvey Wittenberg's 2003 book Tales from the Chicago Blackhawks:

"Phil was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and recalled to me that he had hoped to finish his career with the Blackhawks and play with his brother Tony. A trade was set in 1978 to send him from the Rangers to Chicago for Jim Harrison, but at the last minute, the New York owner nixed the deal."

Espo back in Chicago, imagine that. Way back in 1967 they could not get rid of him fast enough. In fact, one Wittenberg refers to another story that the Hawks rushed the big trade and paid dearly for it. To refresh your memory the trade was Espo, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield to Boston for Pit Martin, Gilles Marotte and goalie Jack Norris. But, according to Wittenberg . . .

"Wirtz told me that Gerry Cheevers was supposed to be the goalie in the deal. Bruins GM Happ Emms made a last minute switch, and Ivan went ahead with it since he was eager to get rid of Esposito. Cheevers went on to lead Boston to two Stanley Cups and was elected to the Hall of Fame while Norris played in only 10 games in two seasons."

But why were the Hawks so anxious to rid themselves of Big Phil? After all, Espo was developing into a nice player and working well as Bobby Hull's center.

Ken Dryden chimed in with is his thoughts in his epic book, The Game:

"The Hawks were an established team, presided over by two great superstars, Hull and Stan Mikita. On and off the ice, its relationships were set, its roles carved out, and in time, little could change because Hull and Mikita were too good, and too young. Hull was the goal scorer, Mikita the playmaker, and the rest, including Esposito, fit in around them as support. On the ice, it was Esposito's job to get Hull the puck; off the ice, an emotional and spirited man, he became the other part of his personality, the funnyman, the clown. So when Hawks general manager Tommy Ivan traded him to Boston, he traded a funny, playmaking 24 goal scorer who had no room to be anything else, and perhaps never would have."

Of course, the rest is history. Esposito would blossom in Boston, becoming the game's greatest goal scorer and shatter Bobby Hull's records in the process. Boston would become hockey's top team. The Blackhawks, for all of Tony's efforts, merely existed.

Hockey Card of the Day: Phil Esposito and Bobby Clarke

Phil Esposito & Bobby Clarke Scoring Leaders 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee OPC #3

Classic Espo

There was a time when Boston vs. Chicago was all about a battle of two brothers - Phil Esposito, Boston's mega-scorer, vs Tony Esposito, the shutout king in Chicago's net.

So it comes as no surprise that the brothers are in hot demand once again as these two teams faceoff for the 2013 Stanley Cup. As always, big brother Phil steals the show like only he can.

"You want to know the truth," said Esposito, the fifth-leading goal scorer in hockey history. "This series doesn't mean s*** to me.

"I have no feeling for these teams. There's nothing emotional about it. They both got rid of me, traded me. So screw them.

"I didn't choose to leave Chicago. I didn't choose to leave Boston. I signed a contract in Boston for less money than I could have gotten from going to the WHA. I could have made millions doing that. And you know how they repaid me? Three weeks later, they traded me (to the New York Rangers)."

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun has a full feature on the classic Phil vs. the classy Tony. Stick tap goes out to George Malik.

Here's more on the Esposito brothers.

Phil Esposito on Gordie Howe

"It was my second game in the NHL and we were playing in the Olympia. I was sitting on the bench and Billy Reay, who was coach of the Blackhawks, said, 'Esposito, you go out there with (Bobby) Hull and let Hull take the face-off.' This is almost the third period. I'm out there and I'm scared. I'm looking around. There's Bobby Hull, Alex Delvecchio, Bill Gadsby, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote, Ted Lindsay and there's Gordie Howe. I can't believe it. I'm standing on the left wing next to Gordie, and Hull says to me, 'You got that old son-of-a-bitch?' Gordie just looks at me and smiles. The puck drops and I go in to get it and suddenly. . . WHAM! He gives me an elbow right beneath the nose in the upper lip. I still have the scar where I got six stitches.

- Phil Esposito

Espo Knew How To Celebrate His Birthday

This is Phil Esposito, the NHL's goal scoring king in the days between Bobby Hull and Wayne Gretzky.

He was not the prettiest of goal scorers, usually just banging away from the slot and swatting at rebounds. They used to say "Jesus saves, but Espo scores on the rebound."

Between the years of 1971 and 1976, Espo scored 50 goals in five consecutive seasons. In fact, he scored 76, 66, 55, 68 and 61 goals, some pretty fantastic numbers by any era's standards. But did you know it was Esposito who first cracked the 60 goal plateau.

Here's something else I bet you did not know. In three of the five seasons he scored 50 goals, 1970-71, 1971-72 and 1973-74, Espo reached the magical 50 goal mark on February 20th, his birthday! In 1972, he even did it by scoring against his brother - Tony Esposito of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Happy Birthday Phil Esposito!

(By the way - the only other player in NHL history to score his 50th goal on his birthday was Wayne Gretzky in 1985)

Hockey History Photo of the Day: Bourque and Espo

Ray Bourque is remembered for wearing number 77 with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, but it was not his original number.

Bourque wore #7 in Boston from 1979 through 1987. But the Bruins decided to retire #7 in December 1987 in honour of Phil Esposito. In typical classy style Bourque surprised the world by meeting Esposito at center ice, removed his #7 jersey to reveal the #77 jersey underneath.

No Boston Bruins player has worn #7 since.

Summit Series Heroes: Phil Esposito

While Paul Henderson has been forever immortalized for his series winning heroics, Phil Esposito's effort in the tournament was equally as memorable. In fact, almost every member of Team Canada would be quick to point out that Espo - their undisputed leader - was the real hero of the series.

Right from the get-go, Phil was the leader of this team. He had a commanding stature and he oozed charisma. Players were quick to literally follow him in training camp and away from the rink. When his team struggled out of the gate, he fired them up, and wouldn't accept losing as an option. In fact, he never once felt Canada would lose, not even after falling behind 3-1-1 after the first game in Russia.

No one was more intense than Espo. In the ceremonial puck drop before game one, he vigorously won the usually friendly draw. Then just 30 seconds into the game he scored and celebrated emphatically.

The Russians soon proved that they would be no pushover, and in fact dominated the rest of game one, winning easily in Canada's cathedral of hockey - the Montreal Forum.

The humiliating defeat in game one seemed easy to take compared to the game 4 loss. In the final game played in Canada, Vancouver fans loudly booed Team Canada off of the ice. That would be Team Canada's lingering reminder of their lack of success as they headed to Russia.

But Espo would have none of that. He went on national television following the game and, with his heart and the Maple Leaf on his sleeve, he spoke his mind.

"To the people across Canada, we tried. We gave it our best. To the people who booed us, geez, all of us guys are really disheartened. We're disillusioned and disappointed. We cannot believe the bad press we've got, the booing we've got in our own building.

"I'm completely disappointed. I cannot believe it. Every one of us guys - 35 guys - we came out because we love our country. Not for any other reason. We came because we love Canada," he ranted off the top of his head.

Team Canada rallied around perhaps the most famous speech in Canadian history (yes, perhaps even more important than any political speech ever offered).

In fact, it was until after the speech Phil himself realized the battle Team Canada was in - a battle he termed "a war." As he left the post game 4 interview a heckler in the crowd continued to shout insults at him.

"I was so mad I felt like ramming my stick right down his throat," said Espo. "That's when I realized we were in a war, man. This isn't a game. This is a war and we'd better get ourselves together."

Team Canada headed to Russia, and Russian fans were quickly introduced to the charisma of Esposito. During the player introductions Phil stepped on a stem of a rose that was handed out to the players moments earlier. The big Italian fell flat on his butt. The arena erupted in laughter which turned into cheers as Espo got up and blew a kiss into the crowd and took a bow. Phil insists he was directing the kiss towards Soviet dictator Leonid Brezhnev, and that Brezhnev was not impressed.

Canada unthinkably blew a three goal lead in that first game in Moscow. That forced them to win all the remaining games. Thanks to Esposito's leadership and incredible play and Henderson's timely goal scoring, Canada was able to save face and win the tournament.

Espo led the tournament and scoring and tied for the goal scoring lead. He was as charismatic as the Soviets were stone-faced, which was symbolic of the sharp differences in the two societies. He played the tournament as is if he was possessed. He scored 30 seconds into the first game, and assisted on Paul Henderson's "goal heard around the world" with just 34 seconds left in game 8. Twice he was named the MVP of a game, and was instrumental in the game 8 victory, scoring twice and assisting on two others.

Paul Henderson as said that seemingly everyday of his life someone thanks him for scoring the dramatic goal in Moscow. Thank you too, Phil Esposito.

Hockey History Photo of the Day: Phil Esposito Falls

Phil Esposito became an unlikely legend in Russia much like Vladislav Tretiak became a legend in Canada. Much of that had to do with his great play and his charismatic emotions which were totally foreign to Russian hockey followers. 

One of the funny moments of the series came during the introductions of the first game in Moscow. Prior to the intros, the Canadian players were given flowers in the pre-game ceremonies. Somehow Esposito's flower had broke and the stem fell on the ice. When public address announcer Karil Yugorov announced Esposito's name, big Phil took a step forward and ended up stepping directly on the stem. Espo embarrassingly fell right on his butt!

Espo was able to turn that otherwise humiliating moment into a great one for the fans. As the stadium filled with laughter, Esposito, to the great delight of the fans, got up, bowed and blew a kiss towards the crowd.

As it turns out, Esposito was blowing a kiss to a specific person, and no it wasn't his wife or Miss Russia 1972 - it was Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.

In Brian McFarlane's book Team Canada 1972: Where Are They Now? Esposito recalled the incident.

"The whole world was watching when they introduced me. I stepped on the stem and fell flat on my ass. I'll tell you, that broke some of the tension. But the ironic thing was, (Leonid) Brezhnev was president then and when I looked up, I made eye contact with him. There was the Soviet president staring right back at me. everybody in the arena was laughing at my pratfall - everybody but him. His look was as cold as the ice I was sitting on. So I put my hand to my lips and SMACK I blew him a kiss. And he still didn't laugh. But the guy beside him did and Brezhnev turned and gave him a look that almost paralysed the poor guy. I said to myself, 'Holy Christ, we may not get out of here alive!' "

1972 Summit Series: Phil Esposito Addresses The Nation

It is now a legendary piece of Canadian hockey folklore. Following a terrible game against the Soviets in game 4 in Vancouver, a game in which the Vancouver fans booed Team Canada loudly and routinely, Phil Esposito decided to speak his mind.

"For the people across Canada, we tried. We gave it our best. For the people who booed us, jeez, all of us guys are really disheartened and we're disillusioned and we're disappointed in some of the people. We cannot believe the bad press we've got, the booing we've gotten in our own buildings. If the Russian fans boo their players like some of the Canadian fans - I'm not saying all of them - some of them booed us, then I'll come back and apologize to each and every Canadian. But I don't they will. I'm really, really, I'm really disappointed. I am completely disappointed. I cannot believe it. Some of our guys are really really down in the dumps. We know - we're trying. What the hell, we're doing the best we can. They've got a good team and let's face facts. But it doesn't mean that we're not give it our 150 per cent because we certainly are...

"Everyone one of us guys, thirty-five guys who came out to play for Team Canada," Esposito continued, "we did it because we love our country and not for any other reason. They can throw the money for the pension fund out the window, they can throw anything they want out the window - we came because we love Canada. And even though we play in the United States and we earn money in the United States, Canada is still our home and that's the only reason we come. And I don't think its fair that we should be booed."



Johnny Esaw, the broadcaster doing the interview, knew he had something special, and was more than willing to let Phil talk as long as he wanted. All along a few fans heckled from the safety of seats above, angering Esposito to a scary new level.

"I was so mad I felt like ramming my stick right down his throat. That's when I realized we were in a war, man." Esposito remembered years later "That's when I realized we were in a war, man. This isn't a game. This is a war and we'd better get ourselves together."

Esposito's rant was the turning point in the series. It fired up his teammates who would go on to reverse all the wrongs of the games and Canada, and would make a dramatic and heroic comeback in Moscow that a nation would remember and cherish forever.

Esposito's speech is probably the most famous example of a hockey figure using the media to fire up his team. While his was entirely impromptu, it is a somewhat common ploy by coaches or captains to have a speech along those lines once a season or so.

Wayne Gretzky even used a similar type of speech to create a everyone-hates-Canada atmosphere to anger his players onto victory in the 2002 Olympics. Gretzky's speech was instantly compared to Espo's, bringing Espo and memories of the 1972 Summit Series back to life yet again.

Hockey Caricature: Phil Esposito

Phil Esposito Got What He Wanted On His Birthdays

Courtesy hockey trivia king Liam Maguire on Twitter:

@Liams_Hockey: Espo scored his 50th goal of season 3 times on Feb 20th, his birthday. Once against brother Tony.

Unfortunately these must be tough times for the Esposito family. His daughter Carrie recently passed away suddenly. The 43 year old was the wife of former NHLer Alexander Selivanov

Covered: Phil and Tony Esposito

Pioneers of Hockey: Phil Esposito

NHL Network presents Pioneers of Hockey: Phil Esposito

No Respect: Phil Esposito

There's a new book hitting store shelves today. Hockey Night In Canada's panel of experts decide who really is the Best Of The Best.

Well, sort of. Firstly they separate players pre and post 1967, which is fair enough. It is awfully tough to compare modern players with those of the Original Six or even earlier than that.

They also rank the players only by position, stopping shy of truly proclaiming who is the Best of the Best. Gretzky vs Orr? This book doesn't go quite that far..

Regardless, it's a neat book, wonderfully presented and full of great photography and good reading. Check it out on Hockey Book Reviews.com.

But I wanted to make special mention of Phil Esposito, who only ranked 7th in the Modern Era: Center category. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux hold down the top two spots, to no one's surprise. More contemporary players Steve Yzerman, Mark Messier, Joe Sakic and Bryan Trottier also outrank Espo.

I always felt Phil Esposito was greatly underrated, both when he played and in history's eyes. He obliterated the NHL record book not unlike what Gretzky would do again a decade later. Not only was he the first player to reach the magical 100 point mark, but he did so with an exclamation point, tallying 126 points in 1968-69. He would regularly challenge the 130 point mark, setting the NHL standard with 152 points in 1970-71. That year he also scored an unthinkable 76 goals. Remember, at that time only Rocket Richard and Bobby Hull had ever cracked the 50 goal barrier.

Yet Espo always fell in the shadows of teammate Bobby Orr. It is as if all of Esposito's accomplishments with the Boston Bruins - all the NHL records, 2 Stanley Cups, 2 Hart trophies, 5 Art Ross trophies - are all asterisked because Esposito played with Orr.

Time undoubtedly has played a role in the diminishing of Esposito's greatness. Nowadays he is best remembered for his passionate play at the 1972 Summit Series, perhaps the only time he escaped Orr's shadow. Younger fans may only know him as an outspoken personality.

Does Phil Esposito deserve a higher standing amongst the best centers since 1967? It would be hard to displace Yzerman, Messier, Sakic or Trottier, even though they combined for only one Art Ross Trophy compared to Espo's five. It is certainly no slight to be in the same grouping.

That being said, I firmly believe that Phil Esposito's accomplishments deserve to be better remembered by the eyes of history.