Strauss Mann signs pro deal with Skelleftea AIK of the SHL
Strauss signs a deal with Skelleftea AIK of the SHL (Sweden’s top league) per the Twitters.
I didn’t think he’d garner much NHL interest, but figured an AHL or ECHL deal was in the cards with a chance to earn an NHL deal in the future. But the talent level of the SHL is roughly on par (maybe slightly behind) the AHL, so it’s possible he saw it as an upgrade over ECHL interest.
Mann was a phenomenal college goalie but his NHL upside was pretty limited. Another great college goalie with a similar limitation (size/athleticism) was Shawn Hunwick. Shawn put up similar numbers to Mann but struggled in his short ECHL career. Hopefully Mann is able to carve out a solid career and turn that into some NHL interest. It’s been done before but the hesitation from NHL teams is understandable.
Michigan hockey goalie for those that don’t follow, the links ive found so far are in Swedish (from the team welcoming his signing), which is why I didn’t share one.
EliteProspects has his team listed but no info on elsewhere.
Hunwick did get 3 minutes in a game for the Bluejackets. He wore his UM gear and got booed. It was great.
Makes sense assuming he graduated. Ineligible for NHL draft and he's only 6'0" 175 lbs .... too small for an NHL goalie. Kid can definitely play though ... in 3 years at Michigan he put up a 2.14 GAA and a 0.926 save percentage. Could have a long career in Europe.
There are far worse places to play than Sweden and far worse leagues than the SHL.
SHL is the second best league in Europe behind Russia's KHL
Yeah, great goalie. Positionally and rebound control are very good. But he lacks the size to be an NHL goalie and doesn’t have the athleticism to make up for that shortcoming.
From a scouting perspective you’d probably say his ceiling is an okay NHL backup or a solid AHL goalie. I know a few on the blog were hoping the Wings would sign him (one guy wanted him to be Seattle’s first signing), but the upside in his game isn’t really there for an NHL goalie.
My best guess is that he received some ECHL interest and decided the SHL was better for him.
For sure ... if he shines in Sweden for a couple years he could make his way to the KHL or even back to the states, just not in the NHL.
Lycka till och bli blå, Strauss.
*Good luck & go blue (if the intertubes are correct)
I’m not going to question it ??♂️