Retired professional ice hockey executive, coach, and player, Philip Anthony Esposito is well-recognized by the name Phil Esposito. Throughout his playing career, Esposito played for Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, New York Ranger, and also for his national side, Canada National Team.
Following his retirement as a player, Esposito served as general manager and head coach of the New York Rangers before co-founding the Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently, Esposito serves as Tampa Bay’s radio commentator, having previously served as the principal studio analyst for the NHL on Fox from 1995 to 1998.
Esposito has an estimated net worth of around $1 Million. His annual salary for 1963 was $54,990. In 1977, he earned $325,000 as his annual wage and was the highest-paid player in NFL that season.
Phil Esposito played for Boston Bruins. SOURCE: Instagram- @Gary F. Phil Esposito has earned the hung name, fame, and wealth through his professional broadcasting career and as a professional ice-hockey player and managerial career. Previously, he also served for the NHL on Fox as a studio analyst following his retirement.
Phil Esposito Funds and Charity
Esposito received a $100k donation from the Lightning Foundation while receiving The Tampa Bay Lightning honor as the 53rd Lightning Community Hero of the Season. The donated money would be donated to the Wounded Warrior Projects and youth as well as amateur hockey programming in the Tampa Bay region.
In 1979, he along with his Rangers teammates recorded a song written by Alan Thicke as a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation named, “Hockey Sock Rock”.
Phil Esposito has married twice. He first tied the knot with Linda Esposito. Together with Linda, he has a daughter named Carrie Esposito Selivanov. Not much about their relationship is known such as how long they stayed together or the reason for the divorce.
Phil Esposito with his ex-wife Linda SOURCE: Getty Images After his divorce in 1976, Esposito stayed almost 23 years single then decided to exchange the wedding vows with Bridget Esposito in 1999. The couple is still together and living a blissful life without any news and rumors about divorce and extra-marital affairs in their relationship. Back on 30th January 2012, Esposito lost his daughter, Carrie who suddenly died of an abdominal aneurysm. Late Carrie’s only son is now living with his maternal grandparents Phil and Bridget.
Phil Esposito was born on 20th February 1942, in Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario, to Frances Esposito and Pat Esposito. Regarding his nationality, he is a Canadian and he belongs to white ethnicity. His birth sign is Pisces. Phil Esposito grew up alongside his only brother Tony Esposito, a former Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender.
Phil Esposito signed his first professional contract with the Chicago Black Hawks and was soon assigned to the Sarina Legionnaries Jr. ‘B’ hockey team for the 1960-61 seasons. The following season he played for the St. Catharines Teepees of the Ontario Hockey Association and the next two years he spent with Chicago’s minor league affiliate, the St Louis Braves.
For the 2016 season, Esposito was called up to the parent Black Hawk to make his National Hockey League debut.
In 1967, Esposito was traded along with Fred Stanfield and Ken Hodge to the Boston Bruins in a blockbuster trade. At Boston, he bloomed into the greatest scorer of his days. He played a total of 8 seasons representing the Boston Bruins. He played in NHL All-Star Game.
For the 1975-76 season, Esposito and his teammate Carol Vadnaisweres were traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Jean Ratelle, Brad Park, and Joe Zanussi.
On 4th November 1977, Esposito scored his 600th NHL goal in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks which lead to reserve the first position to have the milestone in a Rangers uniform.
In the year 1981, he retired as a player.
Awards and honors throughout his playing career
Also Read: Bobby Orr Biography
Phil Esposito, a legendary figure in professional ice hockey, left an indelible mark on the sport during his illustrious 18-year career. Throughout his time in the NHL, Esposito showcased his exceptional skills and contributed to the success of multiple teams. He played for esteemed franchises such as the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers, leaving a lasting impact on each organization.
Esposito's offensive prowess was truly remarkable. Over the course of his career, he amassed an impressive record of 717 goals and 873 assists, totaling an astonishing 1590 points in 1282 games played. His ability to find the back of the net made him a force to be reckoned with, earning him the distinction of a 6-time Rocket Richard winner for leading the league in goals scored. Additionally, Esposito achieved the ultimate team accomplishment by capturing the Stanley Cup twice, solidifying his legacy as a champion in the sport.
In the mid-1980s, Phil Esposito began his career as head coach and general manager for the Rangers. He served almost three years for the Rangers making numerous transactions notably a trade for Marcel Dionne. He also earned the nicked named, "Trader Phil".
Then he went on to found the NHL’s “Tampa Bay Lightning” but faced big competition from the Compuware Group. However, he made it to victory for Tampa Bay in 1992, serving as the team’s president and general manager until 1998.
In Lightning’s initial season, he made hockey history by signing Manon Rheaume. The signing made Rheaume the very first woman to sign with the NHL team.
After his retirement as general manager, Esposito remains the team’s radio color commentator as well as co-hosting a daily call-in show on SiriusXM’s “SiriusXM NHL Network Radio” channel.
Throughout his playing and managerial career, Phil Esposito is awarded various prestigious awards. In 1984, he was inducted into the “Hockey Hall of Fame” and was also included in the “Ontario Sports Hall of Fame” in the year 2004. Notably, he is the very first player in NHL history to score 1,000 points in the 1970s.
In 1979, Phil Esposito and his Rangers teammates Anders Hedberg, Dave Maloney, and Roy Duguay appeared in a TV commercial for Sasson designer jeans.
Furthermore, Esposito also featured in “Knots Landing”, “Warbirds”, “Rescue Me”, “The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale”, and “Sicilian Vampire”.
