Strauss Mann leaves Habs organization for Augsburger Panther

With the recent acquisition of Connor Hughes from Lausanne HC, the Montreal Canadiens crease gained an extra member and Strauss Mann is the odd man out. However, the Augsburger Panther of DEL stand to benefit from that, signing the 25-year-old American goalie to a one-year contract. Mann is heading back to Europe after two seasons split almost evenly between the AHL and ECHL. In Augsburg, Mann will be expected to take over the starting job vacated by the retirement of Dennis Endras.

“We have been looking at various goalies over the last few weeks and have finally decided on Strauss Mann,” said Panther sports director Larry Mitchell. “His style of play is predestined for the large ice surface, which he has already demonstrated in college, in Sweden and for Team USA. We have scouted Strauss intensively and also obtained many reports from general managers and his goalie coaches. Dennis Endras has also recently analyzed him precisely and is looking forward to working with a goalie who we believe is very talented and still has potential for development. Together with Markus Keller and Konrad Fiedler, we can build on a good goaltending trio in the new season.”

Mann played college hockey for the University of Michigan and was even named team captain, but left the school prior to his senior season, reportedly due to a dispute with coach Mel Pearson.

The 2021-22 season to follow has so far been the high point of Mann’s career. He had a great season with Swedish club Skellefteå AIK and represented the United States at two major international tournaments. In the Winter Olympics in Beijing, he played two games. Then at that year’s IIHF World Championship, he started the tournament as the team’s starting goalie until the arrival of Jeremy Swayman from the Boston Bruins bumped him to the backup role.

After two seasons of mixed success in North America – first in the San Jose Sharks system and then with Montreal – Mann will hope to regain his form in Europe.