Esche
looking forward to change of scenery
June 20, 2007
UTICA OD.COM
UTICA — Robert Esche is looking for a fresh start. But
after five mostly successful seasons with the Flyers, the Whitesboro native
can't help but remember the good times he had in Philadelphia.
Esche will be a National Hockey League free agent July 1
when his contract with the Flyers expires. The 29-year-old goaltender is back at
his home in Westmoreland for the summer, but could have a new work address by
the middle of next month.
"I think that I'd love to move on and start over," said
Esche, who has spent nine seasons in the NHL counting the lockout season of
2004-05. "There are good years and bad years, and this year happened to be an
awful year. I'm looking forward to a fresh start."
Esche appeared in just 18 games with the Flyers this
season due to a groin injury and a youth movement. Philadelphia finished with
the worst record in the NHL this season (22-48-12) and totaled a franchise-low
56 points.
"They were rebuilding and I was on the bench, and that
was a little uncomfortable," Esche said. "It's very humbling, because you learn
a lot about yourself. You learn how much you enjoy the sport."
Esche had groin surgery during the season, but is now
completely healthy. His 2006-07 statistics — 5-9-2 record with a 4.32
goals-against average — marked the first time since the 1999-00 season with
Phoenix that Esche had a losing record or a GAA above 3.02.
"I personally feel confident in my game, and I know I'm
a starting goalie in this league," Esche said. "But when you don't play and
you're on a losing team, the whole NHL world wonders why you're not playing.
"The last five years, including the lockout, were my
best five years in hockey. But they're going to rebuild now, and I'm excited
about proving people wrong this year."