Angelo Esposito

Last updated

Angelo Esposito
AngeloEsposito.jpg
Esposito with the Texas Stars in 2012
Born (1989-02-20) February 20, 1989 (age 35)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Chicago Wolves
San Antonio Rampage
Texas Stars
Lahti Pelicans
Milano Rossoblu
SG Cortina
České Budějovice Motor
NHL draft 20th overall, 2007
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2008–2017

Angelo Esposito (born February 20, 1989) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Esposito was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

QMJHL

Esposito's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) career started in controversy. He was considered a possible first overall draft choice in the QMJHL, but told all general managers that he intended to play college hockey in the NCAA. As a result, he was passed up by the first ten picks in the QMJHL Draft. Just minutes before the Val-d'Or Foreurs were slated to make their pick, at eleventh overall, the Quebec Remparts announced that they had traded several players and draft choices to get the Foreurs' drafting position and selected Esposito.

Esposito began his QMJHL rookie season, in 2005–06, centring the first line. Esposito scored in his first regular season game on his very first shift against the Rimouski Océanic. By mid-season, Esposito was selected QMJHL Rookie of the Month twice and the Offensive Player of the Week once. He finished his rookie campaign with 98 points, second among QMJHL's rookies, behind Claude Giroux, and was named the league rookie of the year. Along with wingers Mathieu Melanson (86 points) and Alexander Radulov (152 points), the Remparts' first line was the most productive scoring line in the entire league. Despite losing in the President's Cup final series 4–2 to the Moncton Wildcats, Esposito and the Remparts earned a berth in the 2006 Memorial Cup as runner up to the tournament hosts.

Impressing many in his major junior rookie season, Esposito was touted early as a possible first-overall pick for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. [1] He had, in fact, already drawn comparisons to former Remparts star Guy Lafleur. [2] However, declining offensive production at the junior level – his points total fell from 98 to 79 – led to him eventually being picked twentieth overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On February 26, 2008, the Penguins traded his NHL rights to the Atlanta Thrashers along with Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, and a 2008 first-round draft pick in a trade-deadline deal for Marián Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. [3]

Professional

At the conclusion of his 2007–08 season with the Remparts, he made his professional debut with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL). [4] In the off-season, he was traded in the QMJHL by the Remparts to the Montreal Juniors on June 7, 2008. After a strong start with the Montreal Juniors, Esposito was named to Team Canada and competed in the U20 World Championships, scoring the game-winning goal against Sweden in the gold medal game. [5] After returning from the World Juniors, Esposito tore his ACL in his right knee, causing him to miss the rest of the season. After only 12 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Chicago wolves in 2009, Esposito re-tore his ACL causing him to require a second knee surgery.

On July 8, 2011, he was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Kenndal McArdle. On January 13, 2012, he was traded to the Dallas Stars for Ondřej Roman. After the 2011–2012 season was over Esposito became an unrestricted free agent. [6]

On July 26, 2012, he signed a one-year contract with Finnish hockey club Pelicans from Lahti. After producing 7 points in 29 games in the 2012–13 season with the Pelicans, Esposito was mutually released from the remainder of his contract and immediately moved to play in Italy with Hockey Milano Rossoblu from Milan on January 17, 2013.

On July 21, 2014, Esposito returned to North America and signed a one-year contract in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets. After the season opening game of the 2014–15 season with the Komets, Esposito decided to take a hiatus from hockey and Fort Wayne waived and released him from his contract.

After taking a years hiatus from professional hockey, Esposito returned to Italy signing a one-year contract with SG Cortina of the AlpsHL on September 5, 2015. [7] He finished the season with 38 points in 31 games. [8] During the 2016-17 season, Esposito had a 9-game stint with České Budějovice Motor of the Czech 2nd league before he suffered a concussion while playing with the team. He only scored 1 goal in the 9 games he played with the team and at the end of the season Esposito retired from professional hockey.

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2009 Canada
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2006 Czech Republic
World U17 Hockey Challenge
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2006 Canada

Esposito competed for Team Quebec as captain during his QMJHL rookie season in the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, capturing gold. Later that year, he also captained Team Canada's under-18 squad at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and won another gold medal. After three years of being cut from Team Canada's World Junior Championships selection camp, he eventually made the team for the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa. [9] He scored 4 points in 6 games, including the game-winning goal in the gold medal game, helping Team Canada to its record-tying fifth straight gold medal. [10]

Post–playing career

Real estate investor

Esposito currently works in the Quebec area as a real estate investor and landlord. He first bought property in 2015, but continued to buy more soon after. [11]

Politics

2019 federal election

Esposito with Andrew Scheer in 2019. Angelo Esposito and Andrew Scheer in Laval (48687823188) (cropped).jpg
Esposito with Andrew Scheer in 2019.

Esposito was the candidate for the Conservative Party in the riding of Alfred-Pellan for the 2019 Canadian federal election. [12] In the 2019 election, Esposito got 5,917 votes, which gave him 10.90% of the vote. [13]

Electoral record

2019 Canadian federal election : Alfred-Pellan
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Liberal Angelo Iacono 26,01547.90+3.39$97,523.02
Bloc Québécois Michel Lachance15,54928.63+10.80$16,657.44
Conservative Angelo Esposito 5,91710.90-0.45none listed
New Democratic Andriana Kocini4,1097.57-16.41$443.23
Green Marguerite Howells1,9583.61+1.63$0.00
People's Mathieu Couture4710.87$6,000.82
Pour l'Indépendance du QuébecJulius Buté1770.33$0.00
Independent Dwayne Cappelletti1130.21$582.53
Total valid votes/expense limit54,30998.24
Total rejected ballots9731.76+0.54
Turnout55,28269.90+2.59
Eligible voters79,083
Liberal hold Swing -3.71
Source: Elections Canada [14] [15]

Personal life

Born in Montreal and raised in Mount Royal, Quebec, Esposito grew up figure skating before beginning to play organized hockey at the age of six. At ten-years-old, he made the decision between the two sports to focus on hockey. [16] He attended high school first at Selwyn House School then Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, following in the footsteps of such NHL stars as Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews. [16]

Despite his last name, famous in hockey circles, Esposito is not related to Hockey Hall of Famers Phil and Tony Esposito. He does, however, have uncles named Phil and Tony, [2] in addition to sharing Phil Esposito's jersey number 7 and February 20 birth date. [16]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2004–05 Shattuck-Saint Mary's Midget AAA6831356647—————
2005–06 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 57395998452365114
2006–07 Quebec RempartsQMJHL602752796354372
2007–08 Quebec RempartsQMJHL56303969691146106
2007–08 Chicago Wolves AHL 10000—————
2008–09 Montreal Juniors QMJHL3524184225—————
2009–10 Chicago WolvesAHL120442—————
2010–11 Chicago WolvesAHL573101335—————
2011–12 San Antonio Rampage AHL162358—————
2011–12 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 30110—————
2011–12 Texas Stars AHL385111619—————
2012–13 Lahti Pelicans SM-l 2934710—————
2012–13 Milano Rossoblu ITA 51342—————
2013–14 HC Bolzano EBEL 3517814130000
2014–15 Fort Wayne Komets ECHL10002—————
2015–16 SG Cortina ITA311523382640114
2016–17 Motor České Budějovice CZE.2 91018—————
AHL totals12410283864—————

International

YearTeamEventResult GPGAPtsPIM
2006 Canada Quebec WHC17 Gold medal icon.svg63140
2007 Canada WJC18 Gold medal icon.svg63360
2009 Canada WJC Gold medal icon.svg63144
Junior totals1895144

Awards

QMJHL

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippe Boucher</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1973)

Philippe Boucher is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He was the general manager of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL from 2019 to 2023. He also served as GM with the Quebec Remparts and the Rimouski Oceanic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Gagné</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)

Simon Gagné is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent the first ten seasons of his NHL career with the Flyers (1999–2010), followed by one season with Tampa Bay (2010–11) and two with Los Angeles (2011–13), winning the Stanley Cup in 2012, before returning to Philadelphia via trade for the end of the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season. After not playing in 2013–14, Gagné signed with Boston, briefly playing for them before retiring in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luc Bourdon</span> Canadian ice hockey player (1987–2008)

Luc Bourdon was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League from 2006 until 2008. After overcoming childhood arthritis, he was selected third overall in the 2003 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft and played for the Val-d'Or Foreurs, Moncton Wildcats, and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, spending four seasons in the QMJHL. The Canucks drafted Bourdon with their first selection, 10th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and he split his professional career with the Canucks and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Noted as a strong defenceman who could contribute on offence, Bourdon represented Canada in three international tournaments, winning two gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship and a silver medal at the IIHF World U18 Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Radulov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1986)

Alexander Valerievich Radulov is a Russian professional ice hockey player for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He had previously had two separate stints with the Nashville Predators, the NHL team which had drafted him, from 2006 to 2008 and again in 2012, as well one season with the Montreal Canadiens, five seasons with the Dallas Stars between 2016 and 2022, and eight seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), split evenly between Salavat Yulaev Ufa and CSKA Moscow from 2008 to 2016.

The 2005–06 QMJHL season was the 37th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Canadian Hockey League institutes the shootout loss statistic to be recorded in the regular season standings. The league inaugurates the Maurice Filion Trophy for the "General Manager of the Year."

The 2006–07 QMJHL season was the 38th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The regular season ran from September 14, 2006 to March 18, 2007. Eighteen teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Lewiston Maineiacs finished first overall in the regular season winning their first Jean Rougeau Trophy. Lewiston won 16 playoff games, losing only one, en route to their first President's Cup, defeating the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the finals.

The 1999–2000 QMJHL season was the 31st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league grants the Montreal Rocket an expansion franchise, returning a team to the most populous city in Quebec. The QMJHL splits into four divisions, retaining the names Lebel and Dilio for its conferences. The Lebel conference is split into the West and Central divisions, and the Dilio Conference is split into the East and Maritime divisions.

The 1997–98 QMJHL season was the 29th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Quebec Remparts name was revived after twelve years when the Beauport Harfangs changed identities. The QMJHL continued to grow in eastern markets, with an expansion team in Baie-Comeau and the relocating of the Granby Prédateurs to Cape Breton.

The 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008. Eighteen teams played 68 games each. The Drummondville Voltigeurs, who finished first overall in the regular season, went on to capture their first President's Cup vs. the Shawinigan Cataractes in a series they won 4–3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Leblanc</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Louis Jean Joseph Leblanc is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre. Leblanc played minor hockey in the Montreal region before he moved to the United States in 2008, playing one season with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and becoming Rookie of the Year. Eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected 18th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. He then enrolled at Harvard University and spent one season with the Crimson, being named Ivy League rookie of the year, before he signed a contract with the Canadiens in 2010. Later that year Leblanc joined the Montreal Juniors, who had earlier acquired his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) playing rights.

The 2009–10 QMJHL season was the 41st season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The regular season, which consisted of eighteen teams playing 68 games each, began on September 10, 2009, and ended on March 14, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrice Cormier</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Patrice Victor Cormier is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently under contract with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Cormier was drafted in the second round, 54th overall, by the New Jersey Devils at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marco Scandella</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Marco Scandella is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Val d'Or Foreurs prior to being selected by the Minnesota Wild in the second-round, 55th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. As well as the Wild, Scandella formerly played with the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Bourque</span> American ice hockey forward

Ryan Bourque is an American ice hockey coach in the Washington Capitals system, having previously been a forward. He is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque and the brother of former NHL forward Chris Bourque. He was a third round draft choice by the New York Rangers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has won four medals in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) playing for the United States – a gold and a bronze medal in World Under 18 Ice Hockey Championship and a gold and a bronze medal in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He is a fast, energetic, tenacious, versatile forward who is considered strong defensively – a smaller version of Ryan Kesler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikhail Grigorenko</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Mikhail Olegovich Grigorenko is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zachary Fucale</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Zachary Fucale is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender cutrently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has previously played for the Washington Capitals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Mantha</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Anthony Mantha-Pronovost is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Mantha was drafted 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Duclair</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Anthony Duclair is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Duclair was selected by the New York Rangers in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the organization with which he began his NHL career. Duclair has also played in the NHL for the Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Graves (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Ryan Graves is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Graves was selected by the New York Rangers, 110th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He has previously played for the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils.

Zachary Bolduc is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Blues with the 17th overall pick in the draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Rating top NHL prospects goes down to the wire". USA Today . 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  2. 1 2 "Humble Esposito flattered by praise". Regina Leader Post . Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Penguins get Hossa, hoping he's the missing piece to their Cup". ESPN. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  4. ↑ "Angelo Esposito Official Player Page". atlantathrashers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  5. ↑ "Canada on top of the world | the Star".
  6. ↑ "Dallas Stars Extend Qualifying Offers to Six Players". Dallas Cowboys site. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  7. ↑ "Cortina announce new additions to squad for season 2016" (in Italian). SG Cortina. 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-09-15.
  8. ↑ "Angelo Esposito". Elite Prospects.
  9. ↑ "Canadian world junior squad named". CBC. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  10. ↑ "Canada Defeats Sweden to Win Fifth Straight WJHC Gold". TSN. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  11. ↑ "Angelo Esposito's new lease on life". Sporting News. 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  12. ↑ The Canadian Press (April 11, 2019). "Former junior hockey star Angelo Esposito to run for Conservatives in Laval riding" . Retrieved August 5, 2019– via CTV News Montreal.
  13. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  14. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. 1 2 3 "Esposito focuses on NHL dream". The Gazette . 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Pittsburgh Penguins first round draft pick
2007 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.