Why Did New Sharks Goalie Strauss Mann Go Undrafted?

The San Jose Sharks have added another goaltender.

The Sharks have signed former University of Michigan standout Strauss Mann to a one-year deal, terms undisclosed.

“Strauss is a quick athletic goalie with history of leadership and success exemplified by being named the first goalie Captain at University of Michigan in 78 years,” Supervisor of European Scouting Shin Larsson said in a San Jose Sharks press release. “He followed his successful collegiate career with a strong season for Skelleftea in the SHL and represented Team USA at the most recent Olympics. We look forward to adding a quality goaltender and person to our organization.”

The 23-year-old netminder posted a .914 Save % in 22 SHL games and a .945 Save % in two Olympic appearances this past season.

“Mann is an intelligent goalie who can make the smart read and efficient play, but also has great quickness to make the tough save,” Corey Pronman wrote last year at The Athletic. “The athleticism isn’t off the chart for a six-foot goalie, and the size will be the main question on him.”

That size, an NHL amateur scout tells San Jose Hockey Now, is the reason why Mann was unsigned and undrafted despite a banner college career. In three seasons in Michigan, from 2018-21, the 6-foot-0 netminder registered a .926 Save %. He was selected Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and named to the First All-Star Team in 2019-20, and named a Big Ten Second Team All-Star in 2020-21.

Scout Loves Strauss Mann Signing

But Mann showed this past season that he’s definitely a pro goalie, size be damned. So is he an NHL goalie, perhaps even a potential starter one day for the San Jose Sharks?

“He’s a hard guy to bet on,” the scout told SJHN, “and a hard guy to bet against too if that makes sense?”