Canadian · Sault Ste. Marie, Canada · Born 20 February 1942Canadian ice hockey center who revolutionized goal scoring, first player to score 100 points in a season and one of the greatest offensive players in NHL histor
Philip Anthony Esposito was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1942. He revolutionised the art of the power forward by planting himself in the slot — directly in front of the opposing goaltender — and converting passes from Bobby Orr and others into goals with a combination of strength, positioning and a soft touch with a heavy shot. He was the first player to score 76 goals in a single season, doing so in 1970-71 — a season in which he also recorded 152 points. He won five Art Ross Trophies as scoring champion (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974) and two Hart Trophies as MVP (1969, 1974). He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Boston Bruins (1970, 1972). He scored 717 career goals. He was the emotional leader of Team Canada's 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union — his impassioned speech after Game 4 in Vancouver addressed Canadian fans directly and changed the public narrative of the series. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. He became general manager of the New York Rangers after his playing career.
First NHL player to score 100 points in a season, achieving the milestone in 1968-69 with 126 points.
His emotional speech to Canadian fans during the 1972 Summit Series is the most famous in-series speech in hockey history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Esposito was a powerful presence in front of the net, using his large frame to screen goalies and deflect shots. He possessed excellent hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes, allowing him to capitalize on rebounds and scrambles around the crease. His ability to position himself perfectly in the slot made him nearly unstoppable in close quarters.
Lasting Impact
Esposito revolutionized the center position by demonstrating how effective a player could be camping in front of the opposing net. His scoring exploits helped popularize hockey during the 1970s and set new standards for offensive production.
Career Honours
- Stanley Cup 2x (1970,1972)
- Hart Trophy 2x
- Art Ross Trophy 5x
- Hall of Fame (1984)
- NHL 100 Greatest Players
| Team | Period | GP | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Black Hawks | 1963–1967 | 70 | 23 |
| Boston Bruins | 1967–1975 | 625 | 459 |
| New York Rangers | 1975–1981 | 422 | 184 |
 Canada | — | 38 | 23 |
Canadian Athletes