Robert Esche
Robert Esche, born January 22, 1978 in Whitesboro, New York is an American ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers.
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 often hot-potato-like 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, shutting out Russia in Russia, an accomplishment he still lists as his greatest moment in hockey. He also received 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. During the 2004 playoffs he was often referred to by Philadelphia sports media as "Silent Bob" due to his refusal to answer any media questions (previous to the playoffs, many sportswriters questioned his ability and asked numerous questions about his mediocre playing late in the season.)
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)
Records
Career statistics
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 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1070 | 56 | 0 | 3.14 |
| NHL CAREER TOTALS | 146 | 62 | 48 | 18 | 8063 | 345 | 8 | 2.57 | ||
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 |
| NHL Totals | 22 | 12 | 9 | - | 1269 | 54 | 1 | 2.55 | ||
Stats as of January 14, 2006.
International Play
- 2006 - Played for the United States in the XX Olympic Winter Games
External links
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