February 11, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets Every four years, the hockey community around the world, stretching from Russia to Sweden to New York, celebrates the most famous hockey event this world will ever know - the Winter Olympics. While the Vancouver Canucks have six players representing Sweden, Canada, Switzerland and the USA, including former Comets player Yannick Weber, there is someone a little closer to home who had the once in a lifetime experience of representing his country in the Olympics. And this Olympian is the one responsible for bringing professional hockey back to Utica, New York.

Robert Esche, president of the Utica Comets, was selected to the 2006 USA Men's Hockey team while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, and traveled to Turin, Italy to compete against the rest of the world. "It was obviously something that was kind of surreal," Esche explained. "When I was growing up, my grandmother always wished that I would play in the Olympics. When I found out I was going, the first person I thought of was my grandmother and calling her to tell her the news. It was such a special conversation."

As a young hockey player, Esche set his goals high, and always pictured himself reaching the Olympics someday. "It was always a goal to play in the Olympics," he recalled. "I think that every kid who grows up playing an Olympic sport wants to make it there. For me, it was always a goal." When that dream finally came true in February of 2006, it was time for Esche to pack his bags and head to Europe, leaving the NHL for a couple of weeks. "Because the Olympics occur in the middle of the hockey season, as they get closer and closer, it becomes a little trickier to keep your head in the NHL games," Esche admitted. "Your mind constantly drifts, and you envision yourself playing in Turin. You're supposed to be a professional player, but it's human nature for playing in the Olympics to creep into your thoughts."

For anyone, especially a first-time Olympian, Esche recalls feeling overcome with emotions and pride when representing his country in front of millions of individuals worldwide. "I think that any time you represent your country, it's a different feeling [than the NHL]," he said. "You feel like you're representing millions upon millions of people as opposed to when you play for your city and you're just representing a team. There's so much camaraderie from fans and athletes and anyone who puts on the USA jersey." Esche also went on to explain that emotions run deep, especially when thinking about the history of the United States of America. When asked what makes the Olympics different from playing in other important professional hockey games throughout his career, Esche explained, "I think the fact that the whole nation's eyes are on you, whether you're from Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston or LA makes the Olympics a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone's pulling for you. There are a lot of thoughts that come up, whether they're about the wars or the freedom that we live, but those emotions are unforgettable and powerful."

As the 22nd Winter Olympics are upon us, there has been much talk about the conditions athletes and press are being subjected to while in Sochi, Russia. Esche was able to offer a different perspective on the games, coming from someone who experienced them himself. "The conditions in Sochi shouldn't be an excuse for anybody because the athletes have sacrificed everything to get to where they are now," he explained. "I think the conditions are part of Russia's culture, which a lot of people don't realize and take for granted. In Italy, the conditions were very different because the culture was so different. That's part of what makes the Olympics so special...you deal with the different make-ups of people on such a global stage." When asked what his favorite memory from the Olympics was, Esche didn't hesitate with an answer. "Having my whole family over there was by far the most special thing for me. We were able to spend some time together...not a lot of time, but a meal here and there. It was really special."

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Comets Corner with Rob Esche