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Robert Esche - A History Robert Esche grew up in Whitesboro, a suburb of Utica located in Central New York, and currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League. Robert has exhibited a strong athletic acumen starting at the tender age of one making it clear that this ability would remain a integral part of who he is and what his life would contain. During his early childhood, he played T-Ball, Little League, Pop Warner Football and Basketball. As a youngster, he was always competitive attempting any event that involved a ribbon or a trophy. Unlike most professional hockey players, Robert got a late start, entering the sport of hockey at age eleven. Finding hockey to be difficult to master, Robert had thoughts of quitting while always being brought back to the ice by his need to succeed. Choosing goalie as his position of choice compounded the learning curve as he fought to enhance his skating ability by relying on his natural athletic prowess. Rob learned early on that if he wanted to play, he would have to master the fundamentals of the game and to be the starting goalie, he would have to do so on a consistent basis. Robert has always done what it takes to master his position whether it was attending goal tender schools or competing in New York's Empire State Games. Showing his maturity and dedication for the sport, he left home at age 15 to pursue his dream of playing in the National Hockey League by joining the Plymouth Whalers OHL affiliate in Detroit Michigan. In 1996, Robert was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the sixth round, starting his "career" by being assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL as well as playing 7 games with then-Phoenix affiliate the Houston Aeros. Career Highlights: INTERNATIONAL CAREER: Was one of five goaltenders invited to attend Team USA’s Olympic Training Camp in Colorado Springs prior to the start of the 2001-02 season...2001: Represented Team USA at the World Championships in Germany posting a record of 4-2...Named “Player of the Game” when he helped Team USA defeat Finland, 4-1, making 28 saves...Defeated Team Canada, 4-3, in overtime, making 27 saves...2000: Represented Team USA at the World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia...Played in two games, posting a 1-0-1 record, a 0.50 GAA and a .984 save percentage...Made 44 saves and named No. 1 Star in a 3-0 shutout victory over Team Russia which included Pavel Bure, Alexei Yashin, Alexei Zhamnov, Maxim Afinogenov and Valeri Kamensky...1997: Represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Geneva, Switzerland and won a silver medal...Posted a 1-3-0 record with a 3.28 GAA...1996: Was a spare goaltender for Team USA at the World Junior Championships. The Man Behind the Mask Robert has a great deal to be proud of in terms of his athletic ability and the success he has enjoyed in the sport of hockey. He has a deep sense of family, friendships and in giving back to the community both in terms of where he works and where he calls home. Robert can be seen at any number of charitable events while in Philadelphia, always eager to get involved. During the season, Philadelphia is part of his community while his hometown of Whitesboro is never far from his thoughts. During the off season, Robert occupies a great deal of his time with Kelly and their daughter Ashlynn Mae in his hometown. His brother Henry is a proud member of the US Marines. Robert's mother and father continue to reside in Whitesboro, New York along with countless friends and supporters. Given the events of 9/11, Robert was motivated to create a goalie mask that was designed to honor those who gave so much by including the images of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Rescue Workers, as well as, United States Service members and the American Flag. Robert is thankful for all that he has and the freedom he so cherishes fostering a need to make a difference. While in Phoenix, Robert met the founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Linda Bergendahl and he quickly felt a deep sense of ownership in the mission of helping kids with life threatening illnesses. He made himself available for fund raisers and other events that brought attention to this worthwhile cause. Robert felt a deep sense of pride in his ability to use his athletic gift in a manner that would help others. He wanted to bring this desire to give something back to the Mohawk Valley and as he has with other facets of his life, he jumped in with conviction. In 2001, Robert started his own charitable golf event with the help of friends and family with all proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. With the help of two main sponsors, silent and live auctions of sports memorabilia, his first year event grossed $34,000. In the second year, a Dinner was added with key-note speaker Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes with the combined Dinner and Golf Outing resulting in a donation to the Central New York Make-A-Wish Foundation more than three time the first year. It was the planning for the third year's event that Robert came up with the idea of focusing his charitable efforts on the Mohawk Valley. Keeping the theme of assisting children with life threatening illnesses, he embarked on another challenge, that of the creation of his own charity; the Robert Esche Save of the Day Foundation. In its inaugural year, the 3rd Annual Robert Esche Charity Golf Classic added a Celebrity Softball Event along with the Dinner and Golf Outing and grossed over $80,000 with all proceeds going to the Save of the Day Foundation. During the NHL season Robert utilizes some of his free time collecting sports memorabilia from today's greatest stars, not for himself, but for his charity auctions. He also solicits involvement from such players as Sean Burke, Daniel Briere, Chris McAllister, Eric Weinrich, Mark Recchi and Tom Connolly who join him in his is hometown of Whitesboro, all with a common goal, to help Robert help those kids in need in New York's Mohawk Valley.
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