Strauss Mann Explained

Strauss Mann
Birth Date:18 August 1998
Birth Place:Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:174
Position:Goaltender
Catches:Left
League:DEL
Team:Augsburger Panther
Former Teams:Skellefteå AIK
San Jose Barracuda
Laval Rocket
Ntl Team:USA
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2021

Strauss Mann (born August 18, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Augsburger Panther of the German Hockey League (DEL). He previously played for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the Laval Rocket and San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL), and collegiately at the University of Michigan.

Playing career

Junior

Mann played for the Fargo Force during the 2017–18 season. He appeared in 34 games where he posted a 22–8–1 record, with a 1.86 goals-against average (GAA) and .932 save percentage. During the playoffs with the Force, he recorded a 2.09 GAA and a .932 save percentage.[1]

College

Mann began his collegiate career for the University of Michigan during the 2018–19 season. During his freshman season, he appeared in 21 games, including 17 starts, where he posted a 6–8–4 record, with a 2.91 GAA and .895 save percentage.[2]

During the 2019–20 season in his second year, Mann posted an 18–13–4 record with a 1.85 GAA and a .939 save percentage. He ranked third in the nation in save percentage and sixth in GAA. With six shutouts this season, Mann tied the Michigan single-season record and holds the single-season record for save percentage and GAA in program history.[3] Following an outstanding season he was named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and a top-five finalist for the Mike Richter Award.[4] [5]

On September 10, 2020, Mann was named team captain for the 2020–21 season. He became the first goalie to be a captain for Michigan in 78 years and the first non-senior captain in five years.[6] During his junior year he posted an 11–9–1 record, with a 1.89 GAA and .930 save percentage. He was subsequently named a finalist for Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and the Mike Richter Award.[7] [8]

Professional

On July 6, 2021, Mann signed a professional contract with Skellefteå AIK of the SHL.[9] [10] He made his professional debut on September 18, 2021.[11] He appeared in 22 games for Skelleftea AIK, where he recorded a 13–8–1 record, with a 2.19 GAA, a .914 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranked tied for fourth in the league in GAA, fifth in save percentage, and tied for sixth in shutouts.[12]

On April 19, 2022, Mann signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).[13] In the season, Mann split the season with the Sharks minor league affiliates, the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.

As a pending restricted free agent with the Sharks, Mann was not tendered a qualifying offer and was released to free agency. On July 3, 2023, Mann was signed to a one-year contract with the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.[14]

In June 2024, Mann left the Canadiens organization and signed a one-year contract with the Germany-based Augsburger Panther of the DEL.[15]

International play

On January 13, 2022, Mann was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[16]

On May 5, 2022, Mann was named to Team USA's roster to compete at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. He posted a 3–1 record, with a 2.42 GAA and .888 save percentage.[17]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPWLOTMINGASOGAASV%GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
USHL34 22 8 1 1,972 61 5 1.86 .932
2018–19University of MichiganB1G21 6 8 4 1,153 56 0 2.91 .895
2019–20University of MichiganB1G35 18 13 4 2,072 46 6 1.85 .939
2020–21University of MichiganB1G21 11 9 1 1,205 38 5 1.89 .930
2021–22Skellefteå AIKSHL22 13 9 0 1,318 48 3 2.19 .9142 1 1 118 4 0 2.03 .922
2022–23Wichita ThunderECHL13 9 3 1 790 33 0 2.51 .932
2022–23San Jose BarracudaAHL20 8 7 0 1,048 58 1 3.32 .894
2023–24Laval RocketAHL15 2 9 2 765 47 0 3.69 .879
2023–24Trois-Rivières LionsECHL11 6 3 2 673 29 1 2.59 .910
SHL totals22 13 9 0 1,318 48 3 2.19 .9142 1 1 118 4 0 2.03 .922

International

YearTeamEventResultGPWLOTMINGASOGAASV%
2022United StatesOG5th2110130401.85.945
2022United StatesWC4th4310223902.42.888
Senior totals64203531302.21.922

Awards and honors

AwardYearRef
College
Big Ten Goaltender of the Year2020[18]
All-Big Ten First Team2020
All-Big Ten Second Team2021[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U-M Announces Incoming Class for 2018–19 Season . MGoBlue.com . . Timothy . Garske . August 10, 2018 . September 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: Strauss Mann Bio . MGoBlue.com . . September 19, 2021.
  3. Web site: All-Big Ten Wolverine Goalie is a Mann Who Does it All . MGoBlue.com . . Steve . Kornacki . May 19, 2020 . September 19, 2021.
  4. Web site: Mann Named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year . MGoBlue.com . . Kristy . McNeil . May 11, 2020 . September 19, 2021.
  5. Web site: College hockey: 5 Finalists named for 2020 Mike Richter Award . NCAA.com . March 30, 2020 . September 19, 2021.
  6. Web site: Strauss Mann and Jack Becker named captains for 2020–21 season . . Lane . Kizziah . September 10, 2020 . September 19, 2021.
  7. Web site: Nine goaltenders chosen as finalists for annual Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in men's NCAA D-I hockey . USCHO.com . February 27, 2021 . September 19, 2021.
  8. Web site: Finalists Announced for Big Ten Hockey Individual Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20210314001501/https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/11/general-finalists-announced-for-big-ten-hockey-individual-awards.aspx . dead . March 14, 2021 . BigTen.org . March 11, 2021 . September 19, 2021.
  9. Web site: Greenwich's Strauss Mann signs to play professional hockey in Sweden . . Scott . Ericson . July 7, 2021 . September 19, 2021.
  10. Web site: Strauss Mann signs professional contract in Sweden . . Josh . Taubman . July 6, 2021 . September 19, 2021.
  11. Web site: Mann hyllar laget efter succédebuten . norran.se . September 18, 2021 . September 19, 2021 . Swedish.
  12. Web site: Sharks Sign Goaltender Strauss Mann . San Jose Sharks. NHL.com . April 19, 2022 . April 19, 2022.
  13. Web site: Greenwich's Strauss Mann signs first NHL contract with San Jose Sharks . . Michael . Fornabaio . April 19, 2022 . April 19, 2022.
  14. Web site: Rocket agree to terms with four players on a one-year contract . . July 3, 2023 . July 3, 2023.
  15. Web site: Strauss Mann leaves Habs organization for Augsburger Panther . O'Brien. Derek. . June 6, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
  16. Web site: 2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled . teamusa.com . January 13, 2022 . January 14, 2022.
  17. Web site: Four UM Wolverines named to Team USA roster for World Championship . MLive.com . Ryan . Zuke . May 5, 2022 . May 5, 2022.
  18. Web site: Hockey Postseason Honors Announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20200513205515/https://bigten.org/news/2020/5/11/mens-ice-hockey-hockey-postseason-honors-announced.aspx . dead . May 13, 2020 . BigTen.org . May 11, 2020 . September 19, 2021.
  19. Web site: Hockey Postseason Honors Announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20210316180922/https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/16/general-hockey-postseason-honors-announced.aspx . dead . March 16, 2021 . BigTen.org . March 16, 2021 . September 19, 2021.