"Any time you're mentioned in the same breath as Tony Esposito, for whatever reason, it's a great honor. He's one of my idols. He's one of the greatest of all time"

Curtis Joseph conveys humility and reverence for lineage, acknowledging that sporting greatness is not only measured by numbers but by the company one keeps across generations. The phrase “mentioned in the same breath” signals comparison, yet he immediately softens it with “for whatever reason,” a self-effacing shrug that redirects attention away from personal acclaim and toward the legacy of Tony Esposito. That humility reveals a core ethic of the goaltending fraternity: respect for predecessors who shaped the craft.

Esposito represents more than an accomplished resume; he stands as a stylistic and cultural pillar of the position, a standard-setter whose innovations and competitive excellence helped define what elite goaltending looks like. By calling him an idol and “one of the greatest of all time,” Joseph frames greatness as something inherited and stewarded, not merely achieved in isolation. The sentiment underscores how athletes are formed by the giants they study, techniques absorbed, mentality emulated, ethos transmitted.

There is also a subtle acknowledgment of the psychological weight of comparison. To be placed alongside a legend can be both validating and daunting. Joseph treats it as honor rather than entitlement, converting comparison into gratitude. That posture elevates both players: Esposito’s status is reaffirmed, and Joseph’s achievements are contextualized within a respected lineage rather than a solitary quest for recognition.

For a goaltender, often a solitary figure under relentless scrutiny, this perspective offers ballast. It affirms that identity is shaped not just by saves and wins, but by continuity with the past and responsibility to the future. By embracing the honor of proximity to Esposito’s name, Joseph affirms a communal definition of greatness: influence, inspiration, and respect across eras. The statement becomes a quiet credo, accept praise lightly, honor your mentors fully, and carry forward the standards they set.