Phil Esposito

Lore & Background

Esposito is considered one of the greatest players of all time, and is the older brother of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Tony Esposito. He became the first player to score more than 100 points in a season, with 126 in 1968–69, a feat he achieved a further five times. In 1970–71 Esposito also became the first player to score 50 goals in five consecutive seasons, including the then records of 76 goals and 152 points the same year. Altogether, he won the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer five times, led the league in goals six times, was voted the Hart Trophy for MVP twice, and was named as a first team All-Star centre six times.

After retiring as a player, Esposito served as head coach and general manager for the Rangers for two seasons. In 1991, he and brother Tony co-founded the Tampa Bay Lightning, the first NHL team in Florida. Phil Esposito served as the franchise's first president and general manager until 1998; he now serves as the Lightning's radio colour commentator. Esposito was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history in 2017, and the ninth-best player of all time by The Athletic in 2023.

His #7 jersey was retired by the Bruins on December 3, 1987, and there is a statue in his likeness at Tampa Bay's Benchmark International Arena.

Reader's Guide

Esposito played for the Boston Bruins from 1967–68 to 1975–76, being traded mid-season in 1975–76. He centered one of the most renowned forward lines in history, featuring Ken Hodge on his right wing and Wayne Cashman on his left. During his prime, he was nearly unstoppable when maneuvering in the slot, using his size and shot to become one of the greatest power-play scorers in league history.

Shattering Records: The Offensive Revolution

In the 1968–69 season, Esposito became the first player to score more than 100 points in a season with 126. He achieved this feat five additional times. In 1970–71, he became the first player to score 50 goals in five consecutive seasons. That same year, he set then-records of 76 goals and 152 points. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 215 pounds, he was known for maneuvering in the slot and getting shots off despite physical play. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer five times.

Championship Glory and Individual Accolades

Esposito helped the Bruins break an eight-year playoff drought after arriving from Chicago in 1967. The team defeated the St Louis Blues to win the 1970 Stanley Cup, their first in 29 years. They won a second Stanley Cup in 1972 against the New York Rangers. Esposito was voted the Hart Trophy for MVP twice and led the league in goals six times.