ON THIS DAY: Blackhawks Acquire Esposito on Waivers

There's no doubt that June 15. 1969 marks the greatest waiver deal ever in Blackhawk history and arguably the biggest in NHL history.

On that day, Chicago General Manager Tommy Ivan picked up rookie goalie Tony Esposito on waivers from the defending Cup champion Montreal Canadiens for the sum of $25,000.

Montreal had won its second straight Cup and its fourth in five seasons while the Hawks missed the playoffs with a last-place conference finish despite having a winning record. Montreal General Manager Sam Pollack and head coach Claude Ruel decided to keep veteran goalies Rogie Vachon and Gump Worsley, even though rookie Esposito performed well in 13 games for Canadiens in the previous season. Ironically, early in the schedule, Worsley was traded to Minnesota after a slow start.

Going into the 1969-70 campaign, Blackhawks coach Billy Reay found himself with six rookies in his lineup, but always preferred to go with veteran players. The season started off like a disaster with veteran netminder Denis DeJordy. Chicago had lost its first five games before managing a tie with the Rangers. Reay decided to give Tony Esposito his first Hawk start in Montreal against his former team on October 25, where the rookie blanked the champions 5-0 for the first win of the season.

It was the first of a modern day record 15 shutouts Esposito logged that season, winning the Calder Trophy for top rookie and the Vezina Trophy for best goalie. He was also a first-team All-Star and finished second in MVP voting.

Esposito was in goal when the Blackhawks knocked the Canadiens out of the playoffs in the final game of the regular season, 10-2, With that win, Chicago finished in first place, tied with Boston in points but owned the tiebreaker with five more wins, marking the first time in NHL history that a team went from last place one season to first the next.

Tony holds the Blackhawks record for most wins (413) and shutouts (74) and was named to the NHL Hall of Fame in addition to having his No. 35 retired to the rafters at the United Center.

Pretty good deal for $25,000.