How to find the owner of a cell phone?

i am a athletic trainer for a soccer team and one of the players sat in my chair and left his phone in the the cupholder. i am out of town and found it in the chair today. it is dead and i was wondering if there is a way to find the owner by searching the esn or something. i was going to try to figure out the owner so i could get in contact with him so he doesnt go and buy a new one because i wont be back for another week.