University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

David Esse of Cloquet, Minn., was an outstanding hockey player and team leader at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

During his career as a Yellowjacket, Esse was chosen team captain and named the team's best defenseman each year from 1987-90. He was named UW-Superior's Most Inspirational Male Athlete in 1989.

Esse was named to the All-American First Team for the 1990-91 season, and to the All-Wisconsin State University Conference team for three seasons. He was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Association's First Team for the 1990-91 season, the NCHA Second Team for the 1989-90 season and received NCHA Honorable Mention for the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons.

After graduating, Esse became a health and physical education teacher. He also became head high school hockey coach in Cloquet. He coached a state tournament team in 2001-02 and was named Coach of the Year for Section 7AA for 2002 and 2003.