On Friday, Jan. 24, Michigan Technological University will formally award the University’s highest honor to the late alumnus Tony Esposito ’67.
The Board of Trustees Silver Medal is given to those whose personal and professional achievements set an outstanding example for Michigan Tech graduates. University President Rick Koubek will present the award to members of Esposito’s family during a pregame ceremony at the Michigan Tech hockey game versus Northern Michigan University.
Anthony James “Tony O” Esposito, a hockey legend, grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, before enrolling at Tech to play goalie for the Huskies under storied head coach John MacInnes. He earned First Team All-American honors for all three of his varsity seasons and led the Huskies to an NCAA title in 1965. In 16 seasons in the NHL, Esposito played in six All-Star games, won three Vezina Trophies as the goalie with the lowest goal-against average in the league, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year. In 1988, the Chicago Blackhawks retired Esposito’s famous number 35, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
“While ‘Tony O’ ranks as one of the most accomplished graduates in Michigan Tech’s long, rich history, and one of the greatest hockey players the game has ever seen, what impressed the committee was his dedication to his coursework and how he used what he learned at Tech throughout his career,” said Michigan Tech Trustee John U. Bacon.
To learn more about Esposito’s accomplishments as a Husky and an NHL player and executive, read the full story at MTU News.
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