This article contains excerpts from an interview I conducted with Angelo Esposito at the NHL Prospect Camp on July 11, 2008.

ATLANTA- In the 1970’s, “Esposito” was a household name in Canada and the United States, the name made famous by two NHL legends who loved the game of hockey.

We remember ten-time All-Star Phil Esposito as a record-setting, Hall of Fame player who rewrote the record books in the NHL during the peak of his career. Phil became the first NHL player to break the 100 point barrier in a season when he beat the number by a landslide, tallying 126 points in 1969. Later he would score a record-shattering 76 goals during the 1970-71 season.

Phil’s brother, Tony Esposito, a Hall of Fame goaltender, took home the Vezina Trophy three times, was a five-time All-Star and has a resume overflowing with accomplishments of his own.

Decades later, another Esposito is emerging, hovering over the NHL, pursuing the opportunity to make a name for himself.

As a five-year-old attending kindergarten, Angelo Esposito was asked a question by his teacher, a question he continues to hear as he pursues his dream of playing in the NHL. “It’s probably the most common question I get in interviews and that question goes way back to when my kindergarten teacher asked if I was related to Phil and Tony Esposito. I told her I have uncles named Phil and Tony. She asked for their autographs and I said, ‘Sure, I’ll get you their autographs.'”

Young Angelo was thrilled and ran home to tell his parents that his teacher gave him the assignment to get Uncle Phil and Uncle Tony’s autograph. “When I got home my Mom sat me down and explained there was a famous Phil and Tony Esposito who played hockey in the NHL but we were not related to them.” he said with a laugh.

Although they are not related, Angelo and Phil have several similarities. The two happen to share the same birth date, Feb. 20, wear No. 7 and as teens possessed offensive skills that demanded attention from the NHL.

At age 16, while playing as a rookie for the Quebec Remparts during the 2005-06 season, Angelo tallied 39 goals and 98 points in 57 games. He went on to win the Michel Bergeron Trophy for offensive rookie of the year, the same award won by Sidney Crosby two years earlier. That performance shot him straight to the top where he was suddenly projected as the future No. 1 pick overall.

Over the next two seasons with the Remparts, his numbers dropped off along with the ultra-high expectations. When his time of eligibility arrived in 2007, Angelo was chosen 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins then was later traded to the Atlanta Thrashers as part of a package in the deal that sent Marian Hossa to the Pens at the trade deadline in 2008.

After surviving a pressure-filled journey over the past few years, the 19 year-old hockey star from Montreal seems determined to make a name for himself in the NHL.

No longer feeling pressure from the high expectations in 2006, Angelo arrived at this year’s NHL Prospect Camp in Atlanta with a clear mind and appeared focused and on a mission. “I couldn’t be happier than the situation I’m in right now. I’m here to work hard and earn my spot.”

In an earlier interview first year coach Anderson shared some of the suggestions he made to Esposito leading into the camp, “I told him the slate’s clean here . . . let your hockey do the talking.”

Angelo did just that. Watching the young center fly around the ice turning defenders inside out with moves a player can only be born with, he made a great impression on new coach John Anderson and GM Don Waddell.

Waddell was impressed enough that he signed Angelo to a multi-year contract on July 18, bringing the player one step closer to playing in the NHL.

When asked about coming to the Thrashers and the opportunities it presents, he is very optimistic. “Before the camp, Coach Anderson sat me down and made sure I had cleared my head and would relax and play my game. It’s a team that’s rebuilding, there’s a new coach behind the bench. I’m excited. It presents a great opportunity for me.”

Most would agree there is a great opportunity for Esposito in Blueland. The Thrashers have a roster full of young, developing talent that is expected to include their No. 3 pick overall in this years draft, 18 year-old Zach Bogosian. GM Don Waddell confirmed in an interview that Bogosian will be given an open chance to make the team.

Seeing Esposito and Bogosian, two future NHLers dominate at times during the Prospect Camp makes you expect both youngsters to make the roster at some point this upcoming season.

If he does make the cut, the young star from Montreal will have fullfilled his dream of making it to the NHL and may bring new fame to the “Esposito” name.

Tom Ferda is an Atlanta-based freelance sports writer covering the NHL and MLB. In addition to being a columnist for Inside Hockey, he is a contributor to TheHockeyNews.com, The Detroit News and Baseball Digest Daily.