Esche Prepares for World Cup, Reflects on Season

Flyers goaltender expected starter for Team USA

by Kevin Kurz, philadelphiaflyers.com

Voorhees, NJ – After getting married just two weeks ago, Flyers goaltender Robert Esche was back in the area for a couple of days before heading to training camp for Team USA in Columbus, Ohio, for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

It has been almost three months since the season came to a disappointing end in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, as Esche led the team to the brink of the Stanley Cup Finals. It was his first trek through the NHL playoffs as a starter, and he established himself as the one of the cornerstones of the franchise for seemingly many years to come.

Not bad for a player who was stuck in a backup role in Phoenix before coming to the Flyers in a trade during the summer of 2002.

But, is he satisfied?

Robert Esche posted a 21-11-7 record during the 2003-04 regular season

“Not on an individual level at all, and I don’t think on a team level either,” said Esche. “It’s like when you emulate somebody, if you’re just going to follow and just try to be like them then you’re always going to be second best. If all we are shooting for is the third round, then we’re never going to figure out what it’s like to be in the Stanley Cup Finals and what it’s like to win it.”

Esche began last season as a backup to Jeff Hackett, who was signed last offseason to be the Flyers’ starting goaltender. After outperforming Hackett through the first half of the season, Esche had no problems assuming the starting role once Hackett was forced to retire due to vertigo.

Despite some late regular season struggles, Head Coach Ken Hitchcock named Esche as the starting goaltender for the Flyers in the 2004 playoffs. It was clearly the right decision, as Esche posted 11 wins and a 2.32 goals against average in front of an injury-plagued defense.

He will enter next season as the undisputed starting netminder, a first in his pro career. With his first playoff run behind him, Esche is more excited than ever to lace up his skates again once the next season begins.

“I’ve always loved the sport, obviously, but to even go up another gear or another level, now I’m looking forward to building a championship team and going out there and reaching for things that [I] didn’t think were attainable. It makes [me] a little hungrier,” he said.

The experience of his first playoff run should also help Esche the next time he is in that position.

“I learned a lot as far as how to handle it and how to prepare,” he said. “I’m sure when it comes time next season, the intensity will still be there and the preparation will still be there and I’ll know how to do it.”

First, however, Esche will be representing his country in the World Cup of Hockey. Training camp begins on August 20, and he will most likely be the starter ahead of the younger Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders and Ty Conklin of Edmonton Oilers.

Nailing down the starting position is something that is extremely important to the Utica, New York native.

“It’s the only thing I want to do,” he said. “If my role is to have pom-poms to cheerlead then that’s my role, but I’m definitely not going there looking to do that. I wouldn’t be much of a competitive person if I did.”

Team USA will be forced to come together quickly, as the first game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, against Canada in Montreal at the Bell Centre.

“I have to be honest, I don’t know much about many guys on the team,” said Esche. “There are a few guys I know that I’ve run across and have crossed paths with before.

“All eight teams are doing the exact same thing, so it’s an even playing field for everybody. I’m sure that’s the way our guys are going to look at it as well.”