Introducing Bob Essensa, affectionately known as "Goalie Bob," the esteemed goaltending coach for the Boston Bruins. If there’s one thing that stands out about Goalie Bob, it’s that he has witnessed the ups and downs of the Bruins’ journey throughout his extensive career.
After hanging up his skates, where he tallied an impressive 173 wins as a player, Essensa transitioned into coaching, thanks to a nudge from Rick Bowness, a former Bruins coach. This led him to reconnect with his old teammate from the Coyotes, Mike Sullivan, and join the Bruins’ coaching staff in 2003. Ever since then, he has proudly called Boston home.
Over the years, Essensa has remained a constant figure as various head coaches have come and gone, including Sullivan, Dave Lewis, Claude Julien, Bruce Cassidy, Jim Montgomery, Joe Sacco, and currently Marco Sturm. In this time, he's mentored numerous talented goalies, contributing to the success of several Vezina Trophy winners along the way.
"Sturmy is lucky No. 7 for me," Essensa mentioned in a recent interview with the Globe, reflecting on his experience with the new head coach. "I had an idea of what he would be like based on knowing him as a player. And it turns out, my expectations were pretty accurate. I had a similar relationship with Butchy, but Monty was different; I didn't know him until he arrived and quickly made his mark. What I value is that each new coach allows me to do my work with the goalies. They recognize that goaltending can truly define a team’s performance if things go awry, so they've generally given me the freedom to operate my way. I regret that we lost six matches in the process, but mostly, I’ve been able to maintain my approach."
Essensa understands that goalie strategy often revolves around a singular focus: stop the puck. While subtle adjustments in offensive or defensive strategies may not impact a goalie’s mindset, they do affect how a goalie coach approaches their duties.
"Every system has its nuances. Here, Claude’s system flowed into Butchy’s and even Monty’s frameworks," Essensa explained. "This year, there's been a shift as Sturmy has brought some of his philosophies from the LA Kings, which differ slightly. Our goalies might be handling the puck more or facing different dump strategies than in previous seasons. Nonetheless, the core remains unchanged: their primary task is to keep the puck out of the net, regardless of the team's tactics."
Known for his sharp sense of humor and quick wit, Essensa plays a vital role in the Bruins’ game day operations. As team president Cam Neely put it, "He knows how to keep things light." From pre-scouting sessions before morning skate to the final whistle, his schedule is packed.
"We aim to provide our goalies with insights on where opposing players are likely to score against them. We review recent goals they've conceded and analyze their last few shootout attempts in the locker room," Essensa shared. "We also strive to educate our designated shootout players about potential weaknesses in the opposing goalies."
Once the game commences, Essensa observes from the ninth floor but maintains open lines of communication with assistant coach Steve Spott on the bench, allowing him to offer a unique perspective that differs from what coaches see at ice level.
"For example, if a goal is scored that we’re not happy about, the bench may be quick to criticize the player, but Bob will step in to clarify that it was actually a goalie issue and suggest improvements," Sturm noted, illustrating how Essensa’s insights help refine performances.
Throughout his tenure with the Bruins, Essensa has played a crucial role in guiding three Vezina Trophy winners: Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, and Linus Ullmark, leaving a lasting impact on countless other goaltenders.
This season, he has been instrumental in helping Jeremy Swayman bounce back after a challenging 2024-25 season. As the Christmas break approached, Swayman had contributed to 14 of Boston’s 20 victories.
"Last year, he missed all of training camp, and that’s tough for any goalie to overcome—timing is everything," Essensa explained. "While that doesn’t excuse how things unfolded, he holds himself to a standard that reflects his skill set and reputation in the league. With this being an Olympic year, there’s perhaps an extra emphasis on detail, although he would have maintained that focus anyway. He’s committed to moving past last year’s challenges, starting strong, and carrying that momentum into the regular season. So, while we’re not witnessing a different Jeremy Swayman, we are certainly seeing a professional who is very much in tune with his craft."
Jim McBride can be contacted at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
