Robert Esche

Last updated

Robert Esche
Robert Esche 2018.jpg
Esche in 2018
Born (1978-01-22) January 22, 1978 (age 45)
Whitesboro, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Phoenix Coyotes
Philadelphia Flyers
Ak Bars Kazan
SKA Saint Petersburg
Dinamo Minsk
SCL Tigers
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL Draft 139th overall, 1996
Phoenix Coyotes
Playing career 1998–2012

Robert L. Esche (born January 22, 1978) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who is the current president of the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Utica City FC of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). He previously played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers.

Contents

Playing career

Esche started his career with the Phoenix Coyotes, only to be traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in a deal involving Michal Handzuš and Brian Boucher. In 2004, he claimed the starting goaltending spot for the Flyers, and led them to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall in seven games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

While playing in Russia for Ak Bars Kazan, he posted a record of 22–5–2 with a 2.01 goals against average (GAA) and a .912 save percentage, along with four shutouts.

Esche skated with Dinamo Minsk during the 2010–11 KHL season. In 2008–09, he posted a record of 21–14 with a 1.87 GAA and .912 save percentage, as well as nine shutouts.

On June 16, 2011, the SCL Tigers announced they had signed the 33-year-old Esche to a contract, [1] where he played 40 games, going 15-25, with a 3.05 GAA and .898 save percentage.

International play

Esche has represented the United States in the 1997 and 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the IIHF World Championships in 2000, shutting out Russia in Russia, an accomplishment he still lists as his greatest moment in hockey. He represented the US team in 2001 and also received the starting nod at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Esche was named to the 2006 US Men's Olympic Hockey Team in Turin. He played one game in the Olympic tournament, losing 5–4 to Russia.

Esche played for the 2008 Team USA Hockey team in the World Championships which took place in Canada. He had earned some starts after sitting out the first few games, including a 42 save performance in a controversial 3–2 loss against Finland. He also posted a 9–1 victory against Norway.

Personal

Esche has two children with his former wife Kelly.

Esche is nicknamed "Chico" after former NHL goaltender Chico Resch because his sticks were labeled R. Esche. [2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTOTLMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1994–95 Gloucester Rangers CJHL 201060—10347004.06—————————
1995–96 Detroit Whalers OHL 231360—11397113.74.876302105402.29—
1996–97 Detroit WhalersOHL5824282—324120623.81.8785143171903.60—
1997–98 Plymouth Whalers OHL4829134—281013532.88.89615878684503.11.920
1998–99 Springfield Falcons AHL 5524206—295713812.80.90510159404.02.867
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 3010—130703.23.860————————
1999–00 Springfield FalconsAHL21992—12076123.03.9123121801204.01.878
1999–00 Houston Aeros IHL 7421—4191622.29.922————————
1999–00 Phoenix CoyotesNHL8250—4082303.38.893————————
2000–01 Phoenix CoyotesNHL251084—13506823.02.896————————
2001–02 Phoenix CoyotesNHL226102—11455212.72.902————————
2001–02 Springfield FalconsAHL1100—60010.001.000————————
2002–03 Philadelphia Flyers NHL301293—16386022.20.90710030102.00.929
2003–04 Philadelphia FlyersNHL4021117—23227932.04.9151811710604112.32.918
2005–06 Philadelphia FlyersNHL402211—5228611312.97.8976243142204.20.875
2006–07 Philadelphia FlyersNHL1859—18606214.32.872————————
2007–08 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 18————10953431.86.92610——6092512.46.885
2008–09 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 382114—621836891.87.912303185802.59.877
2009–10 SKA Saint PetersburgKHL42297—525278762.07.917413236902.29.910
2010–11 Dinamo Minsk KHL24514—513837603.30.897421216701.94.942
2011–12 SCL Tigers NLA 401525—0230511713.05.898————————
KHL totals1045535—166093231152.27.91011376372402.26.915
NHL totals186786416610,140464102.75.90025131114056412.73.907

International

YearTeamEventGPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
1998 United States WJC 42202381303.28.922
2000 United States WC 2101120110.50.984
2001 United StatesWC64203591302.17.931
2004 United States WCH 41302371002.53.909
2006 United States OLY 101059505.10.762
2008 United StatesWC422—198702.12.931
2009 United StatesWC835—4802503.12.891
Senior totals25111311453 1! 6112.52 1! .913

Awards and accomplishments

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References

  1. ↑ "The SCL Tigers complete their defense with goaltender Robert Esche and the defender Philippe Rytz" (in German). scltigers.ch. June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Robert L. 'Chico' Esche". The Goaltender Home Page. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
Preceded by Tri-winner of the Jennings Trophy
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