Undersized Strauss Mann helps USHL’s Fargo Force to glory

Strauss Mann (Hickling Images)

There are countless players who never get to experience the exhilaration of winning a championship. Fortunately for Strauss Mann, he isn’t one of them.

For a second consecutive year, the Greenwich, Conn., native has been an integral figure in his team winning a trophy. Last April, he backstopped the Mid-Fairfield Rangers to the USA Hockey 18U national championship. This year, he was a rock in net for the Fargo Force as the team captured its first USHL Clark Cup in organization history.

“The difference between our team and all the other teams out there was just how close we were and how tight-knit we were,” the former Brunswick School star goaltender said. “It’s really impossible to go through a playoff run without having that bond. Our guys went to battle for each other every night.”

Following the conclusion of his stellar prep school career, it wasn’t a forgone conclusion that the USHL would be in his future. He wasn’t drafted in the USHL draft but earned a spot on the Fargo roster thanks to an exceptional main camp over the summer.

Playing time wasn’t guaranteed, but he knew he’d have a chance to earn ice time with fellow goaltender Ryan Bischel, who was committed to Clarkson.

“I went out knowing if I played my game, everything would take care of itself. The season was way longer than the prep season, so I knew I’d have plenty of time to prove myself,” Mann said.

Mann, who has constantly heard from critics that he’s not big enough to be an elite goaltender, demonstrated that he was a big-time player time and time again this season on one of junior hockey’s biggest stages. Including the playoffs, Mann won 33 games while posting a .932 save percentage. He compiled seven shutouts in those 47 games.

So, what makes a 5-foot-11 goaltender so good? While there’s nothing he can do about his height, Mann has focused on his preparation and hockey IQ.

“I’d like to say the strength of my game is my mental edge. The work I put in off the ice is what gives me a positive advantage over my opponents. I work hard in the offseason to improve that part of my game,” Mann said.

“I work a lot with my goalie coaches, Steve Valiquette and Nolan Schaeffer, on technique, tracking and everything that goes into the position. I can’t say enough about them.”

While many hockey fans have heard of Corsi and other advanced statistical metrics, goaltender analytics are less known to the casual observer of the game. However, Mann and his goaltending coaches have taken advantage of analytics to be better prepared come game time.

“They’ve done so much work with analytics. They apply that to the goaltending position and breaking it down mathematically,” Mann said. “We talk about what the shooter’s chances of scoring are for each area of the ice. We look at the puck’s perspective and the path the puck takes in order to find its way into the net. We figure out the best way to stop every scenario there is and how to cut down on angles. Everything I do on the ice has a purpose.”

In addition, Mann puts in long hours watching video of elite NHL goaltenders to figure out how to better his own game.

“There’s not one specifically, but I like to take pieces from different goalies’ games and apply it to my own,” he said. “I really like Carey Price and Devan Dubnyk, and Antti Raanta is around my height. Every goalie is different, and I’ve learned a lot from watching those guys play.”

After heading out to the USHL without a college commitment, Mann quickly earned several offers, including one from Big Ten powerhouse Michigan.

“Michigan has always been my dream school growing up. I always loved the school. It’s a great academic institution and offers everything a student-athlete could ask for. When they were interested, it was a no-brainer to commit there,” Mann said.

While Mann could have chosen a school where he’d have less in the way of earning playing time, he’s not someone to shy away from a challenge.

“I’ve always been a guy that loves competition and I think it makes me better,” Mann said. “I wasn’t afraid to commit to a place where I knew I wouldn’t just be handed the job. I’m really excited for the opportunity to go in there and play for the net.”

With championships following Mann around the past two years, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Wolverines picking up more hardware come next March or April.