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Esche's charity game ue, Jun 14, 2005
WESTMORELAND -- Robert Esche is hoping that his June 23-24 softball game/golf outing turns into a celebration of the re-launch of the National Hockey League. But even if the league's new collective bargaining agreement is not in place in the next few days, Esche's commitment to the Mohawk Valley remains on solid ground. Esche, the Whitesboro native and goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, will host his annual Softball Challenge June 23 at Murnane Field in Utica. The event will feature a game between Esche and NHL players like Sean Burke, Eric Weinrich and Tim Connolly against a team of New York State Troopers. Game time is 7 p.m., and a fireworks show and autograph session will follow the last out. Admission is free, though donations to Esche's Save of the Day Foundation -- which helps children with life-threatening illnesses -- will be accepted. "Last year, we handed out about 2,000 tickets and took in about $2,000," said Esche, who lives in Westmoreland with his wife, Kelly, and children Ashlynn and Waylon. "We want to turn this into an event that everyone can come to. We added the fireworks this year, and we're already talking about adding a bigger food area next year." Esche and the rest of the NHL players have been idle since the end of the 2003-04 season due to a lockout. But Esche -- the Flyers' player representative -- said the union and the league have made significant progress on a new labor deal in recent weeks. "We told our guys that we want them at the table every day until we get this done," said Esche, who led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference finals in 2004 before being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. "This is our livelihood, and the time for finger pointing is long since passed. We need a new deal in place." Esche, however, used the last 12 months to his advantage -- resting an ailing hip and welcoming Waylon into his family at the end of March. The 27-year-old Esche has also worked tirelessly in support of his charity, which he founded in 2003. Last year, though events like softball games, golf outings and an exhibition hockey series, the foundation raised enough money to distribute about $65,000 to children with serious illnesses and their families. In 2005, the foundation has already given away more than $45,000. "We haven't had to turn down anybody to this point, and in fact we're going out of our way to find people to help," Esche said. "We have a lot of money in the foundation right now." And more is coming. On June 24, Esche will host his annual golf outing at Turning Stone Resort and Casino. The event is sold out -- 168 golfers at about $200 per person -- but tickets for that night's dinner at Turning Stone are still available for $100 apiece by calling 736-7209. Former NHL players Gordie Howe and Dennis Hull are scheduled to speak at the dinner. "The event is really going to another level," Esche said. "I didn't think we could sell out two courses, but we could have. I didn't think it would ever be as big as it is." About 30 tickets remain for the June 24 dinner at Turning Stone. For more information or to nominate a child for a foundation grant, visit www.saveoftheday.org. SAVE OF THE DAY SOFTBALL CHALLENGE What: NHL players vs. New York State Troopers When: 7 p.m., June 23 Where: Murnane Field, Utica Admission: Free Players scheduled to appear: Sean Burke, Eric Weinrich, Daniel Briere, Todd Fedoruk, Tim Connolly, Jesse Boulerice, Craig Conroy GOLF CHALLENGE When: June 24 Where: Turning Stone Resort and Casino Tickets: Sold out Dinner: After golf; dinner tickets can be purchased by calling 736-7209
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