Robert Esche poses for a picture as a member of the Whitestown Youth Hockey Association, during the 1989-90 season. Esche is now a member of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and will compete for the United States men's hockey team in the 2006 Winter Olympics. (Submitted photo)

WESTMORELAND -- Robert Esche, Whitesboro native and Westmoreland resident, will play goaltender for the United States men's hockey team during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

To many who know him, this comes as no surprise.

His father, Robin Esche, said Robert didn't start playing hockey until the age of 10 but quickly knew he would be successful.

"He figured he was going to make it since he was small," Robin Esche said. "He had a passion for it."

Robert Esche plays goaltender for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.

"He dreamed about the NHL, the Olympics, the whole deal," Robin Esche said.

Robert Esche's mother Beverly Esche recently looked through some old pictures of her son. While looking, she came across Team USA hockey items that he had collected in 1992. She also found drawings that he had done, with "Team USA" written on them.

Beverly Esche said her mother, Leona Ziminski, had always told him that he would one day play in the Olympics. When he found out that he made the team, his grandmother was the first person he told.

His success didn't come without sacrifice.

"He's worked very hard for this his entire life," Beverly Esche said. "Robert gave up a lot."

After playing high-school hockey for one year with Notre Dame and two years for Whitesboro, he played on the Syracuse Stars and traveled to Canada to compete for the Gloucester Rangers, in Ontario.

He was then drafted to the OHL's Detroit Whalers in 1995. The team name changed to the Plymouth Whalers for the 1997-98 season, Esche's last with the team.

Between 1998 and 2002, he made appearances on the AHL's Springfield Falcons, the IHL's Houston Aeros, the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and the United States World team.

He was traded from the Coyotes to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers for the 2002-03 season and has played there ever since. He also played for Team USA in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Now, he has achieved his goal of making the Olympic team, something that is special to him because he is a very patriotic person, according to his sister Lisa Meyers.

"It's an honor for our entire family," Meyers said.

Some family members, including both of his parents, will be traveling to see him compete in the Olympics. Men's games are scheduled from Feb. 15-26.

Esche will be playing with the support of more than just his family.

Robin Esche said his son has gained a huge fan base locally.

"He does a lot for the community through the Save the Day Foundation," Robin Esche said. "He really gives a lot back, which is great."

Kevin Lojewski of Whitesboro is Robert Esche's close friend and - with Esche - runs the Save the Day Foundation. The foundation helps Mohawk Valley children with life-threatening illnesses.

Lojewski said Esche is happy to be on the Olympic hockey team, but added that Esche is a competitive person who wants more than just being on the team.

"I think getting to the Olympics is the apex for any athlete," Lojewski said. "He's excited, and he's excited about winning."