Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #9 Glenn Hall #8 Tony Esposito

The Chicago Blackhawks have had some Hall of Fame Goalies in their franchise history, and today we celebrate the two greatest in franchise history. 

Glenn Hall was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks from the Detroit Red Wings in 1957, and he became Mr. Goalie for the Hawks and built up a streak that may never be broken.

Hall started 502 consecutive games in net while in Chicago, which really is amazing since he didn’t wear a mask in a record that really is amazing.  Today starting goalies are said to be taxed if they start over 65 games in a season. Yes, I know it’s a different era, but that many games is saw amazing.

Hall was just an ironman, he was really good, and in 1961 he was the backstop that led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup.

Hall also won the Vezina Trophy 3 times, twice with the Chicago Blackhawks and once with the St. Louis Blues.  Hall was also a pioneer being the first goalie to perfect and use the butterfly style in net. While in Chicago, Hall won the 2nd most games in franchise history with 275.

The other great Blackhawks goalie was of course Tony Esposito who arrived from Montreal in 1969 and took the NHL by storm.  Tony O won the Calder, Vezina, and 2nd in the Hart Trophy in his rookie season going 38-17-8 picking up 15 shutouts during the season.

Tony Esposito had 74 career shutouts which may never be broken or even come close, but there is one thing that Esposito may always be remembered for which is not being able to win a Cup in Chicago.

The biggest disappointment came in 1971 when with the Blackhawks leading 2-0 Esposito let in a shot from the blue line in and when the third period siren sounded it was 3-2 Canadiens.

When I started listening to Blackhawks games on the radio, Esposito was a part time player, but even my Dad always would tell me how great of a goalie he was in the 70’s.

Both Esposito and Hall have their numbers up in the rafters of the United Center, and of course they land in the Top 10 of Greatest Blackhawks of All-Time

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Only 8 days left until the season kicks off! Can’t wait for this season to begin!