Robert Esche

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Position Goaltender
Catches Left
Nickname(s) Chico
Silent Bob
Height
Weight
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
210 lb (95 kg/14 st 0 lb)
RSL Team
F. teams
SKA Saint Petersburg
Ak Bars Kazan
Phoenix Coyotes
Philadelphia Flyers
Nationality Flag of the United States United States
Born January 22, 1978 (1978-01-22) (age 30),
Whitesboro, NY, US
NHL Draft 139th overall, 1996
Phoenix Coyotes
Pro career 1998 – present

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.

Contents

[edit] 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.[1][2]

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/home

Esche is currently playing 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.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Records

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Regular season

   
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA
1995–96 Detroit Whalers OHL 23 13 6 0 1139 71 1 3.74
1996–97 Detroit Whalers OHL 58 24 28 2 3241 206 2 3.81
1997–98 Plymouth Whalers OHL 48 29 13 4 2810 135 3 2.88
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 3 0 1 0 130 7 0 3.23
1998–99 Springfield Falcons AHL 55 24 20 6 2957 138 1 2.80
1999–00 Springfield Falcons AHL 21 9 9 2 1207 61 2 3.03
1999–00 Houston Aeros IHL 7 4 2 1 419 16 2 2.29
1999–00 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 8 2 5 0 408 23 0 3.38
2000–01 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 25 10 8 4 1350 68 2 3.02
2001–02 Springfield Falcons AHL 1 1 0 0 60 0 1 0.00
2001–02 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 22 6 10 2 1145 52 1 2.72
2002–03 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 30 12 9 3 1638 60 2 2.20
2003–04 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 40 21 11 7 2322 79 3 2.04
2004–05 Did Not Play - - - - - - - - -
2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 40 22 11 5 2286 113 1 2.97
2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 18 5 9 1 860 62 1 4.32
NHL CAREER TOTALS 186 78 64 17 10140 464 10 2.75

[edit] Post season

   
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA
1995–96 Detroit Whalers OHL 3 0 2 - 105 4 0 2.29
1996–97 Detroit Whalers OHL 5 1 4 - 317 19 0 3.60
1997–98 Plymouth Whalers OHL 15 8 7 - 868 45 0 3.11
1998–99 Springfield Falcons AHL 1 0 1 - 59 4 0 4.02
1999–00 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 3 1 2 - 179 12 0 4.01
2002–03 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 1 0 0 - 30 1 0 2.00
2003–04 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 18 11 7 - 1060 41 1 2.32
2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6 2 4 - 314 22 0 4.20
NHL Totals 28 14 13 - 1405 76 1 2.88

[edit] International play

Played for the United States in:

[edit] Trivia

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Patrick Roy
Co-winner of the Jennings Trophy
2003
Succeeded by
Martin Brodeur