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Tuesday, June 26, 2001
Essensa had come on strong last season
Associated Press
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Bob Essensa, who became a
surprise starter in goal for the Vancouver Canucks last season, was
released Tuesday.
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Club president and general manager Brian Burke said the Canucks
would not exercise a $600,000 option on the 36-year-old goalie's
contract.
"I don't expect this to be a popular decision, but I'm not
running for office, I'm trying to win hockey games," Burke said.
"It's an assessment based on Bob and his physical age more than
anything else and it's going to be second-guessed right off the bat
based on how he played."
Essensa was acquired as an unrestricted free agent last summer
to play behind starter Felix Potvin, but performed better than
anyone expected and took over as starter when Potvin's game fell
apart midway through the season.
In 39 games, Essensa was 18-12-3 with a goals-against average of
2.68. He played well in a pair of playoff losses before a knee
injury forced him to sit out the final game.
Contacted at his Phoenix summer home, Essensa said his body
could still handle a similar workload next season, but admitted he
wasn't shocked at the news.
Essensa becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, but Burke already has granted him and agent Mike Liut permission to talk to
other teams.
Essensa, who has played for 10 different teams in the IHL and
NHL since breaking in with the Winnipeg Jets in 1988, said he would
weigh other options this summer, but is considering retirement.
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