Robert Esche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Esche |
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Esche in 2018
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| Born | January 22, 1978 Whitesboro, New York, U.S. |
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| 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 |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 139th overall, 1996 Phoenix Coyotes |
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| Playing career | 1998–2012 | ||
Robert L. Esche (born January 22, 1978) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. A goaltender is the player who tries to stop the puck from going into their team's net. Robert Esche played for eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Phoenix Coyotes and the Philadelphia Flyers.
After his playing career, he became the president of the Utica Comets, an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). He is also the president of the Utica City FC, a soccer team in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).
Playing Hockey as a Pro
Robert Esche started his professional hockey journey with the Phoenix Coyotes. Later, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2004, he became the main goaltender for the Flyers. He helped them reach the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a very important playoff round. They played against the Tampa Bay Lightning but lost in the final game of the series. The Lightning went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.
Esche also played hockey in Russia for a team called Ak Bars Kazan. He had a very good record there. He then played for Dinamo Minsk during the 2010–11 season. He also played for SKA Saint Petersburg where he had many shutouts. A shutout is when a goalie stops every shot and doesn't let the other team score any goals.
Later in his career, Robert Esche played in Switzerland. He joined the SCL Tigers in 2011. He played 40 games for them before ending his playing career.
Playing for Team USA
Robert Esche proudly represented the United States in many international tournaments. He played in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 1997 and 1998. He also played in the senior World Championships in 2000. In 2000, he achieved something special by shutting out Russia in their home country. He says this was one of his greatest moments in hockey.
He was also chosen to be on the US Men's Olympic Hockey Team in 2006. This was for the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. He played one game in that tournament.
In 2008, Esche played for Team USA again in the World Championships held in Canada. He had some great games, including one where he made 42 saves. He also helped his team win a big 9–1 victory against Norway.
Life Off the Ice
Robert Esche has two children.
He has a nickname, "Chico." This nickname came from another famous NHL goaltender named Chico Resch. Robert Esche's hockey sticks were labeled "R. Esche," which sounded like "Chico Resch" to some people.
Awards and Accomplishments
- 1997–98: Second All-Star Team (OHL)
- 1998–99: All-Rookie Team (AHL)
- 2002–03: William M. Jennings Trophy shared with Roman Čechmánek, PHI and Martin Brodeur, NJ (NHL)
- 2002–03: Yanick Dupre Memorial (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 2003–04: Pelle Lindbergh Memorial (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 2008 World Championships: Best save percentage (.931)
- 2008–09: Played in KHL All-Star Game
