Robert Esche

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
position = Goaltender
catches = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 210
team = Ak Bars Kazan
league = RSL
nationality = United States
birth_date = birth date and age|1978|1|22
birth_place = Whitesboro, NY, US
career_start = 1998
draft = 139^th overall
draft_year = 1996
draft_team = Phoenix Coyotes

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image_size = 200px
former_teams = Phoenix Coyotes
Philadelphia Flyers

Robert Esche (born January 22, 1978 in Whitesboro, New York) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Russian Super League's Ak Bars Kazan.

Playing career

He started his career with the Phoenix Coyotes, only to be traded to the Flyers in a deal involving Michal Handzus and Brian Boucher. He hails from Whitesboro, New York, where he contributes much to the community and charitable organizations with his spare time. In 2004, he claimed the starting goaltending spot for the Flyers, and led them to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals, only to fall in seven games to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

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

Esche is nicknamed "Chico" after former Flyers goaltender Glenn "Chico" Resch because his sticks are labeled R.Esche. [http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/esche.html] [http://www.nhl.com/features/east/east_notebook100405.html]

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

While playing in Russia for Ak Bars he posted a record of 22–5–2 with a 2.01 gaa, and a .912 save percentage. With 4 shutouts.http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080415.wsptusworld15/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/homeHe now plays in Russia's KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.

Esche played for the 2008 Team USA Hockey team in the World Championships in Canada. After sitting out the first few games he has earned starts including one of 42 saves in a controversial game against Finland in which US lost 3–2. He also posted a victory against Norway 9–1.

Awards

*1997–98: Second All-Star Team (OHL)
*1998–99: All-Rookie Team (AHL)
*2002–03: William M. Jennings Trophy "shared with Roman Cechmanek, PHI and Martin Brodeur, NJ" (NHL)
*2002–03: Yanick Dupre Memorial (Philadelphia Flyers)
*2003–04: Pelle Lindbergh Memorial (Philadelphia Flyers)

Records

Career statistics

Regular season

Post season

International play

Played for the United States in:

*1997 World Junior Championships
*1998 World Junior Championships
*2000 World Championships
*2001 World Championships
*2004 World Cup of Hockey
*2006 Olympic Games
*2008 World Championships

Trivia

*Has Kid Rock, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Josh Berger painted on his mask.

External links

* [http://www.usolympicteam.com/26_43454.htm Bob Esche's U.S. Olympic Team bio]
*hockeydb|23035
* [http://www.saveoftheday.org Save of the Day Foundation - Robert Esche Charity Foundation]