Craig Muder
Observer-Dispatch

PHILADELPHIA — The rumor had swirled for weeks that Westmoreland's Robert Esche would be named to the 2006 United State's Olympic Men's Hockey Team on Monday.

But when Esche found out unofficially on Sunday, that didn't keep the Philadelphia Flyers' goalie from breaking into a huge smile.

"I was extremely relieved when I learned I was on the team, which is how I knew for sure that it has been in the back of my head for a while," said Esche, who learned officially on Monday night when the team was announced. "It's a different thing all together to represent your country than to just play for your city.

"Your city is home, but representing your country you think a lot about all the good things your forefathers did for us."

Esche has played for his country before as the starting goalie for the World Cup team in the fall of 2004. Esche was stellar in goal for Team USA, prompting several analysts to call Esche the Most Valuable Player of Team USA.

Esche, however, is not guaranteed to start when the Olympics begin Feb. 10 in Turin, Italy. Competition from other goalies, including Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders, and Esche's nagging groin injury have put the starting job up for grabs.

"They told me they're not sure who the starter is going to be yet," said Esche, who turns 28 on Jan. 22. "The evaluation process will be an ongoing thing, which is good for me because of my groin."

Esche aggravated the injury Dec. 15 against Vancouver — "By the third period, it was on fire," Esche said — and he has been sidelined ever since. He is scheduled to resume skating after Christmas and begin playing again soon after that.

"The main reason I'm not back now is that it's a really huge year for us and the last thing I want is a nagging injury like I had with my hip a couple years ago," said Esche, whose Flyers were 19-8-4 heading into Monday night's game against Buffalo. "The only thing I want to make sure of is that when I come back I'm 110 percent."

Esche said that should come sometime in January, and he expects to be ready to play in Turin.