Topic: Robert Esche

Robert Esche (born January 22, 1978 in Whitesboro, New York) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Robert Esche started his career with the Phoenix Coyotes, only to be traded to the Flyers in a deal involving Michal Handzuš 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 1997 and 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships 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 received the starting nod at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.