Jaxson Stauber looks to make a run of his own, excel in the Utah organization this season
By Anthony Pellegrino @Apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
The Utah Hockey Club organization's newest goaltender, Jaxson Stauber, is used to the term "change of scenery". A term that developing pro-goaltenders in the American Hockey League, the AHL, experience often.
Stauber, who spent the past two seasons between Rockford and Chicago as part of the Blackhawks organization, set plenty of records in a short time. With 13 straight wins spanning from February 10th to April 14th, he became the IceHogs franchise record holder for most consecutive wins.
This month, Stauber, 25, will be battling with goaltenders Matthew Villalta, and Dylan Wells for a position in Tucson. If he succeeds in Tucson, it could very well lead Jaxson to an NHL role for the following season.
Jaxson Stauber was 18-8-3 in 31 games with Rockford, posting a .902 SV%, 2.85 GAA, over the 2023/24 season. With Chicago, in six historic NHL games he had a 5-1 record, with a .911 SV% and 2.81 GAA.
Was Utah on your radar before you hit the market?
"There were some teams interested from talking to my agent. Not everyone's looking four a goalie or someone in my position. Already theres a limited number of teams. But yeah, Utah was one of those teams that showed interest. That first day Monday, a lot of good guys go that day then you see your options become narrower and narrow. There's more guys out there than spots available.
Are you close with your agent during this time...Monday to Thursday going through what team(s) are available, and taking goalies off the board?
"I'm trying to get as much information as I can on some of the feedback or what they are hearing. I'm not in those conversations so you just want to have as much information you can and be as open with the good and the bad as you can. You just want to know...It's the not-knowing that can be tough."
So how do you feel about the changeup from Rockford to Utah?
"Yeah I'm excited. I've lived in the midwest a lot...so it will be a different change of scenery. I'm really excited for the opportunity. Obviously Utah's a new fanbase. You know, it's exciting, it's always cool to go to a new place. I don't think a lot of people know what to expect but, it's really exciting I'm looking forward to it.
Let's take a step back. You're 25 years old, coming off two seasons in the American Leauge. What's the journey since college been like and where do you hope it takes you from here?
"Like a lot of players, it's been filled with a lot of ups and downs. Learning and growth for me personally. I've gotten some games in the NHL then been in a spot not playing in Rockford (AHL). There's been some highs and some lows but trying to get better through the proccess and work on being consisent, giving the team a chance every night. Just work my way up. It's been really good. (Like I said) it hasn't always been easy but it comes with the teretory. I enjoyed my time with Rockford and Chicago (I'm) really thankful and appreciative for that. A lot of great teammates, worked with some great coaches great staff. It was a first-class organization for sure."
Looking back on last season while we're on this, you had an amazing second half with Rockford. Most notably, with an IceHogs All-Time record winning 13-straight outings. Ending that streak with a .924 SV%. This season, how do you look to solidify your play throughout the season and what's going to be your key to consistency?
"I think just continuing to (like I said) get better and our goalie coach in Rockford (Matt Smith), we worked on some changes with my game. I think that paid off in that second half of the year. So I've continued to work on those during the summer continue to build on some of those areas. (That) Maybe we didn't get to totally dive into just because at the end of the season you don't get a lot of practice time. Like you said it's about being consistent. Looking to have a great start right away and continue that through the course of the season."
Is that hard having (Mitchell Weeks) at the time, with a three goalie rotation? In practice, when you're used to say you and Drew Commesso then you get a third guy in the mix. Is it hard to change your practice routine?
"Yeah I think it's one of those things where maybe you're not getting all the reps you want to so you have to find time before and after practice to work on some of those things but it's also at that point where sometimes it's nice to have a third guy on the types of drills you're doing. Sometimes it can get long for two goalies. So, at times having three goalies isn't necessarily a bad thing really really bad thing but there's definitely benefits to having two."
Your time with Chicago. What's it like to get a call up to the NHL? Did yours come at a surprise; Lastly how did you handle the nod before your NHL debut?
"We were in Hartford on a road trip out east, and GM Mark Bernard came up to me and we're sitting down eating our post came meal. We were flying back to next morning then he's like (" you're going up the Hawks") so I got in a car to New York City.They had just played the Islanders, then the Rangers that night so it was kind of a whirlwind scenario so just tried to, I wasn't playing but just stay focused and it was definitely a lot of excitement. I was just try to stay calm and continue to go through my routine and not change anything. (During the debut) I felt calm and focused. Throughout the course of that game. It was awesome, and to have a lot of family and some close friends come down down to make the trip to the game, which was awesome to have them there and that first win and in that first game."
Playing in six NHL games, getting a glimpse of what it takes to play in the NHL: What do you think you have to do or change to become a full-time goaltender in the National Hockey League?
"Definitely to continue to work on that consistency. I think the second-half I found my consistency. The team was playing really well which makes my job easier. Even if the team is not playing I've got to give them a chance to win so continuing to build that résumé and then you get those opportunities in the NHL, just make the most of them and like I said earlier when I was talking about my first game, you don't do anything different but just continuing to play my game and give the team a chance and I think if you do those things you know those opportunities will come and, yeah you'll have some success."
Take us through that specific mindset of a goaltender; because it's not just a goalie but it's a goalie who at any moment, in the AHL can get that call sitting down at dinner with Mark Bernard, and telling you how you're going up to the NHL. Times like the car ride and all those little things that people might not pay attention to, can make or break your NHL career in the start of it at least.
"I think for me, what I try to do is draw on past experiences. Obviously I hadn't experienced playing in the NHL and going through that situation before, but past experiences like playing in those big moments in those big games. Looking back and asking what did I do when I was successful and maybe sometimes when you're not at your best in those games, ("Ok what did I do there") and try to draw those experiences ."
So what's your mindset heading into training camp?
"I think it's a great opportunity. (Like you said earlier) it's a new organizatoin. New faces, it's a chance to make a good first impression...On the people within it. For me it's just...focus on myself. Do what I have to do to be prepared and to play well. To be as consistent as possible. Training camp is a long process. Everyday, and every drill will not be perfect. But it's about the concistency. Having good habits and just...leaving the rest up to them. Obviously you can't control what other people think about you or what not. I can just go and do my job. We'll see what happens.
If Utah goes well for you during the 2024-2025 span, do you see yourself wanting to stay with the team or essentially team hop, to get the best chance at an NHL run?
"Yeah, I think that's an interesting question. You know it's always nice to have familiarity and stability within an organization. Going back my second year in Chicago and Rockford it was nice to have been there to have gone through that. You feel a little bit more focused you can know what to expect. You just go in and do your job instead of maybe going to new teams it's a little unfamiliar or maybe trying to figure things out, a little bit can be difficult at times. (Like you said) I think you wanna find the best opportunity. The best situation for yourself . If you can build that in one place that's awesome, but sometimes you know it's not the case so you gotta move around a little bit."
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