Robert Esche

Robert Esche (born January 22, 1978) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played parts of eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played for Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Superleague (RSL), SKA Saint Petersburg and Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and SCL Tigers of the National League A (NLA).

Robert Esche
Born	(1978-01-22) January 22, 1978 (age 46) Whitesboro, New York
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 team	United States
NHL Draft	139th overall, 1996 Phoenix Coyotes
Playing career	1998–2012

In 2012, he retired from playing professional ice hockey. After retiring, Esche took a job to become the President of the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) and co-owner of Utica City FC of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).^[1][2]

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)

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		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

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

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

References

1. "Front Office: Robert Esche". Utica Comets. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
2. "Esche: 'Big responsibility' involved with planning for 2024 hockey, lacrosse championships". Daily Sentinel. Retrieved September 28, 2024.

Other websites

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• Bob Esche's U.S. Olympic Team bio Archived 2008-06-22 at the Wayback Machine
• Save of the Day Foundation - Robert Esche Charity Foundation