My Homage to My Idol, Tony Esposito

[J DeMarco]

Tony Esposito By James DeMarco

When I heard the news I just stopped in my tracks. I knew what I heard, yet I was hoping I was mistaken. I just sort of sat down and stared straight ahead.

Tony Esposito was my goaltending idol. He was a huge part of my childhood. Pictures of him making the "inverted Y", or butterfly style as it's now called, hung in my room. When he was on TV, I was glued. When my grandfather bought me my very first hockey jersey, a red Blackhawks shirt with the number 35 on the back, I was beyond elated! I became Tony Esposito! When his games were televised, I made sure I put that jersey on—along with all my goalie gear. With my plastic mask, I'd stand in front of the TV. There, I'd mimic him as the national anthem played. Tucking my mask into my pads, I’d rock back and forth, chewing on imaginary gum.

As I grew older, I came to adopt his style. While I wished I had his skills and talent, watching him was how I learned to stop pucks.

As a young adult, I had the honor of meeting him at a signing. I had drawn a collage of all the greatest netminders—of which he was one of. I had it framed and was quite proud of it. When he saw it, he was so happy, asking if I wanted him to sign the artwork for me. My reply was that it was for him. My “thank you” for inspiring the goaltender in me to come forth and play. He stopped the signing, held it up, and said, “He gave this to me!” He then told me he was going to hang it on his office wall. He made my year!

Years later in an interview, they took a photo of him in his office… and once again I turned into a child as I spied the drawing in the corner!

While I only met him once, I feel like he spent part of my life with me. When I started drawing Small Saves, it dawned on me that if I had never seen “Tony-O” playing on TV, I may never have become a goalie… and there would be no Small Saves. So, I’d always say with a smile that Tony Esposito was kind of like Small Saves’ grandfather.

Seems like just yesterday I was a youngster, blinking my eyes for the first time in astonishment at this phenomenal goaltender. And now, I blink again, staring at the date of his passing. The world becomes so quiet when it loses what helped make it great. But then, out of the silence, an outpouring of all who he inspired come forth. Goaltenders, as far as the eyes can see, gather as one and look up to the heavens. Once more, Tony-O has moved us all.

Somewhere out there, a newspaper or TV broadcast will dedicate a page or a segment about the passing of a legend. At that very moment, there will be a young child looking on, eyes fixed on this masked guardian. Their eyes will widen, mouths open in astonishment—drawn to the fascination of him and all he represented. In that very instance, Tony-O’s magic continues…. Once more, another goalie is born.

[Wonder35]

What a marvellous summation of your life path with Tony Esposito, bravo.

I have skated a similar path with Johnny Bower.

[Lucky Pucker]

2 hours ago, J DeMarco said:

Tony Esposito By James DeMarco

When I heard the news I just stopped in my tracks. I knew what I heard, yet I was hoping I was mistaken. I just sort of sat down and stared straight ahead.

Tony Esposito was my goaltending idol. He was a huge part of my childhood. Pictures of him making the "inverted Y", or butterfly style as it's now called, hung in my room. When he was on TV, I was glued. When my grandfather bought me my very first hockey jersey, a red Blackhawks shirt with the number 35 on the back, I was beyond elated! I became Tony Esposito! When his games were televised, I made sure I put that jersey on—along with all my goalie gear. With my plastic mask, I'd stand in front of the TV. There, I'd mimic him as the national anthem played. Tucking my mask into my pads, I’d rock back and forth, chewing on imaginary gum.

As I grew older, I came to adopt his style. While I wished I had his skills and talent, watching him was how I learned to stop pucks.

As a young adult, I had the honor of meeting him at a signing. I had drawn a collage of all the greatest netminders—of which he was one of. I had it framed and was quite proud of it. When he saw it, he was so happy, asking if I wanted him to sign the artwork for me. My reply was that it was for him. My “thank you” for inspiring the goaltender in me to come forth and play. He stopped the signing, held it up, and said, “He gave this to me!” He then told me he was going to hang it on his office wall. He made my year!

Years later in an interview, they took a photo of him in his office… and once again I turned into a child as I spied the drawing in the corner!

While I only met him once, I feel like he spent part of my life with me. When I started drawing Small Saves, it dawned on me that if I had never seen “Tony-O” playing on TV, I may never have become a goalie… and there would be no Small Saves. So, I’d always say with a smile that Tony Esposito was kind of like Small Saves’ grandfather.

Seems like just yesterday I was a youngster, blinking my eyes for the first time in astonishment at this phenomenal goaltender. And now, I blink again, staring at the date of his passing. The world becomes so quiet when it loses what helped make it great. But then, out of the silence, an outpouring of all who he inspired come forth. Goaltenders, as far as the eyes can see, gather as one and look up to the heavens. Once more, Tony-O has moved us all.

Somewhere out there, a newspaper or TV broadcast will dedicate a page or a segment about the passing of a legend. At that very moment, there will be a young child looking on, eyes fixed on this masked guardian. Their eyes will widen, mouths open in astonishment—drawn to the fascination of him and all he represented. In that very instance, Tony-O’s magic continues…. Once more, another goalie is born.

Blown away by your artistry with words AND imagery. What medium did you employ for these fantastic renderings of Tony? Hard to tell in a phone

[Lucky Pucker]

2 hours ago, Wonder35 said:

What a marvellous summation of your life path with Tony Esposito, bravo.

I have skated a similar path with Johnny Bower.

Thought you’d just slip that in there unnoticed…? I read Bower’s biography, and while I am an affirmed Leaf-hater, I always liked Bower (caveat: never got to see him play, of course). Liked him even more after reading the biography! I would love to hear more about this; spill some ink in a post, or DM me if you prefer!

[MTH]

Truly sad news to hear.

Tony always had a classic look to him while playing. I started playing in the 80s and collecting cards and all. He was one of the last guys wearing a full fiberglass mask. It was creepy looking with the wire added around his eyes. Had that silent killer in the woods look. He had a fro. Which, is way cool too.

Later, when I looked him as a player, you saw just how great he was. An absolute legend.

I think of him when I see Louie on the Simpsons:

Also Frank Servo the actor.

Also - I had a 100 of these cards. His pads were huge. 

[creasecollector]

Thank you for posting this.

[J DeMarco]

On 8/13/2021 at 6:07 PM, Lucky Pucker said:

Thought you’d just slip that in there unnoticed…? I read Bower’s biography, and while I am an affirmed Leaf-hater, I always liked Bower (caveat: never got to see him play, of course). Liked him even more after reading the biography! I would love to hear more about this; spill some ink in a post, or DM me if you prefer!

Thank you. He was my inspiration to stop pucks. 

[J DeMarco]

On 8/13/2021 at 6:03 PM, Lucky Pucker said:

Blown away by your artistry with words AND imagery. What medium did you employ for these fantastic renderings of Tony? Hard to tell in a phone

Thank you. I used pencil, pen and ink, color pencil, marker. 

[Scythe]

Felt sick hearing of Tony's passing. He was such a big influence in my life growing up too. My brother loved Phil and I loved Tony. I memorized there book We Can Teach You To Play Hockey.. all the pictures of Tony putting on his equipment and the dream of playing are priceless memories.  Then it all came full circle when we got to see Tony play in person at the LA Forum vs the Kings. I was 11 or 12 yo at the time and actually got to pat him as he walked by out of the dressing room I was in awe.. I even made a sign that said "We Love Tony" and held it out. Will never forget that moment. 

we'll miss you Tony rip