Esche finds hockey home in Russia

After just one season playing pro hockey in Russia, Robert Esche has washed away the sour taste of his last National Hockey League season.

Esche, a Whitesboro native who now lives in Westmoreland, will play for a Russian league team in St. Petersburg for the next two years after starring for a Russian league team in Kazan this past season. Esche will be well compensated for his time in Russia – making much more money than he would in the NHL. But this decision appears to be about much more than dollars or rubles.

Esche rediscovered his love for hockey this season, starring in goal for a Kazan team that reached the league semifinals. After a tumultuous season with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006-07 – and then finding no NHL employers after becoming a free agent – Esche reluctantly went to Russia, only to have his best season ever at 18-2.

 

Now, he’s going back with a smile on his face. No doubt, he’ll leave the Russian fans smiling as well.