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Another from Cuban
Back to Russia for Esche
Robert Esche celebrated his 30th birthday in Russia, where the temperature was 55 degrees below zero.
So it’s fair to say that the former National Hockey League goalie’s decision to spend the next two years playing in the former Soviet Union isn’t based on the weather. Rather, Esche’s choice was born from a season where he learned to love hockey all over again.
“This past year was the best hockey season I’ve ever had,” said Esche, who spent the 2007-08 season playing for Kazan in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan. “I always liked the sport, but now I realize I love the sport. When you’re over there and it’s the only thing you do, you just play and you love it.”
Esche, a Whitebsoro native, has signed a two-year deal to play for a team in St. Petersburg and will leave with his wife and kids for Russia in late July. Esche would not disclose the terms of his contract, but acknowledged that he will be “well compensated” for his work.
Last season with Kazan, Esche split time in goal with former NHL player Mika Noronen during the regular season and finished with a record of 18-2. In the playoffs, Esche was the regular starter and led Kazan to the league semifinals.
He returned to the United States in April, then spent the last week playing for the United States’ national team in the World Championships in Nova Scotia. While there, Esche said he received several offers to play in the National Hockey League next season.
None, however, were attractive enough to convince him to leave Russia.
“Two years ago, I never thought I would have been playing there,” said Esche, who spent eight seasons in the NHL with Phoenix and Philadelphia. “I had to get over my ego that kept telling me I could only play in the NHL. But at end of day, with a wife and a family, you’ve gotta put some things on the back burner.”
Esche turned 30 on Jan. 22, meaning he will still be relatively young when his Russian contract expires in 2010. Esche has not ruled out playing in the NHL then, and has no plans to move from his Westmoreland home.
But with hockey in St. Petersburg beckoning, Esche is ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
“People over here don’t understand it, but I can’t begin to express how nice it is over there and how well they treated me,” said Esche, who played with former NHL stars Alexei Morozov and Oleg Petrov in Kazan. “Now, Kazan is out there. It’s called the gateway to Siberia. But St. Petersburg is only 100 miles from Finland, and it’s much more of a big city.
“In a way, it’s a sacrifice, leaving home. But it’s something I have to do.”
Philly needs him. He was one of their best energy guys. Big hole to fill.
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