When goalie Strauss Mann signed a pro contract in July, he left Michigan’s storied hockey program ranked No. 2 in career goals-against average (2.14) and save percentage (.926).
The Connecticut native proved to be staunch safety net in between the pipes the past two seasons for the Wolverines, starting 36 of 42 games and posting GAAs under 1.90 each season.
But with the 2020 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and two-time Mike Richter Award finalist foregoing his senior season to sign in the Swedish Hockey League, Michigan is left with minimal experience at the position.
Sophomore Erik Portillo, a 2019 third-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, takes the reigns as the team’s starting goalie, but he also has just five career starts under his belt. His numbers last season were impressive, going 4-1 with a 1.67 GAA. Head coach Mel Pearson will be relying on him to backstop a talented Michigan team that features seven first-round picks on the roster and 13 overall.
The Wolverines open the season Friday at home against Lake Superior State.
“He felt his time was right,” Pearson said of Mann last week during media day. “I think one of the issues there too is, we had to play -- we didn’t have to -- but Erik Portillo really made great strides last year. We had to find a way to get him more games, and I think Strauss was looking at the big picture and he probably wouldn’t have got as many games as he did the past couple years here at Michigan. He felt he had really done all he could in net as far as numbers go and wins.”
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Mann went 34-29-9 during his Michigan career, including a 10-8-1 mark last season. He helped the Wolverines earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before the team had to withdraw before its first game because of COVID-19 protocols.
“I learned a lot from Strauss,” Portillo said during media day. “He was a great guy and really committed to being prepared. I learned a lot of small things that you need to know at this level. It’s all about preparation: eating right, sleeping right and then just coming mentally focused to practice every day.”
With No. 3 Michigan returning nine of its top 10 scorers from last year’s team that ranked No. 9 in offense, putting the puck in the net shouldn’t be an issue.
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Portillo understands there will be added pressure this season but he said he believes last year’s experience will be invaluable heading into 2021-22.
“I think that was huge like to get a feeling for the speed of the game,” Portillo said. “Just realizing what it’s all about. It is really different being on the bench and watching to actually being in the net and being on the ice with all the pressure and the game in front of you. I think that was really important for me to be prepared for this year and to understand what it’s all about.”
At 6-foot-6, Portillo has above-average size for a netminder. He was a top goalie prospect in the 2019 draft and went on to lead United State Hockey League in GAA the year before joining the Wolverines.
The Sweden native has the physical tools to be one of the top goalies in the country this season, but he also knows a key component to success resides between the ears.
“I think in general, what I’ve been talking with (Buffalo Sabres development coach) Seamus Kotyk -- we’ve been talking a lot of like details in my game. Just being efficient, being smart, not overplaying pucks, just being very pro in the mindset. I think that’s the most important thing I’ve been working on.”
The other two goalies on the roster – senior Jack Leavy and sophomore Noah West, a transfer from Robert Morris – have zero games of experience in a Michigan uniform. Nevertheless, Portillo isn’t taking his starting job for granted.
“We compete every day,” Portillo said. “You gotta come prepared to practice and ready to fight. I think that’s a great problem to have. It was the same thing last year with me and (Mann) and Leavy.”
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