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Source: Philly.com - Sports

The Flyers' Robert Esche is no Mike Richter, but he may have the inside track on replacing him as the United States' top Olympic goalie.

Not since 1994 has a mystery surrounded who would be get the starting job. Richter, of Flourtown, was a given, a true constant for the American team once NHL players starting filling out Olympic rosters in 1998.

It was a simple choice. He grew up in the USA Hockey program, played in the Olympics as an amateur in 1988 and then won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers. He sealed his position as "the guy" with an MVP performance in the 1996 World Cup.

But he couldn't play forever.

Now there isn't a clear choice for the Turin Games in February, although Esche is the most experienced of the four goalies was invited to this week's Olympic hockey orientation camp.

The other three are 23-year-old Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders, 29-year-old Ty Conklin of Edmonton, and Buffalo's Ryan Miller, who is only 25.

DiPietro, the first goaltender chosen with the top pick in the NHL draft, signed a $2.5 million, 1-year contract yesterday. He was 23-18-5 with five shutouts and a 2.36 goals-against average with the Islanders during the 2003-04 season, his third in the NHL.

In years past, that was no question as to who would be the top netminder. It was always Richter, who retired in September of 2003. No matter what type of season he might be having or aches he might be feeling, when crunch time came Richter was counted on by coaches and players alike.

It's an aura and respect level that only comes with success.

"Until you win something, there's no clear-cut goalie," Esche said. "In the Olympics there has to be a No. 1 guy. You're not going to alternate back and forth, because you're stealing confidence out of a goalie when you do that. There is going to be one, but what is going to make one is winning."

Only Esche has really had the chance to do that.

He has played 128 regular-season NHL games and helped the Flyers reach Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in 2004.

"There are going to be some tough choices," U.S. general manager Don Waddell said. "If you watch what we have going on right now with the four guys we have here, three are experienced NHL players and one is on his way to what will be a very bright NHL career.

"The goaltending end of it, where it might have been a question a few years ago, I think is starting to answer itself. I think it will be a strength for us come February."

Esche, DiPietro, and Conklin appear to have the inside track to make the team as they have backstopped the United States during last year's World Cup and this year's world championship. DiPietro was the only one to see action in both tournaments.

"I'm sure they have an idea but I think it's open. I think anybody can get the job," Conklin said. "I think the season is going to go a long way in determining who plays down the road."

Whatever trio Waddell and his staff, including coach Peter Laviolette, picks to make the trek to Italy, it won't be known until after they get there who the No. 1 guy is going to be.

"The biggest thing for us is winning the gold medal, so whoever is hot at the time, whoever is playing the best hockey is the one that's going to play," said DiPietro. "If it's myself, if it's Ty or if it's Eschey, we're going to be rooting for each other."