The richest goalie room in college hockey is losing another star in as many years, as Strauss Mann surprisingly announced he intends to pursue a pro career rather than return for a 2021-’22 season he’d have to share with the next freak.
Strauss Mann announces intentions to embark on professional hockey career#GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/UcKYlcW7iX Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) April 30, 2021
Ouch.
Michigan still got three years out of a prospect I don’t think we expected to be this elite. Mann emerged as such as a sophomore in 2019-’20, reducing his GAA by more than a goal per game (2.91 to 1.85) and save percentage by over 40 points (.895 to .939), chasing 2020-’21 goaltender of the year Jack LaFontaine to Minnesota. Mann’s reward was splitting time with a blue chip freshman despite turning in another season that ranks among the best in recent Michigan hockey.
That blue chip, Erik Portillo, however posted a 1.67 GAA and .935 save percentage in about 29% of the ice time