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MinnesotaYear: 1989See School Profile Page

Robb Stauber was a collegiate hockey trailblazer as the dominant goaltender for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers from 1986 to 1989. Stauber made history during his sophomore year when he became the first-ever goaltender to win the Hobey Baker Award in 1988, recognizing him as the nation’s best college hockey player. He followed that achievement with another sensational season, leading the Gophers to a WCHA championship and an NCAA runner-up finish, which culminated in his being named a Hobey Baker Finalist (top-ten nominee) again in 1989. During his three years, the two-time WCHA Goaltender of the Year posted an outstanding 73-23-0 record, and he still holds numerous Minnesota goaltending records, including career records for wins and minutes played.

After his storied collegiate career, Stauber began a ten-year professional journey in the NHL, primarily with the Los Angeles Kings, who had drafted him in 1986. He appeared in 62 NHL games for the Kings and the Buffalo Sabres between 1989 and 1995, and notably served as a backup goalie for the Kings during their run to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. Most of his professional tenure was spent in the minor leagues, including the AHL and IHL, where he was highly regarded. Following his retirement from playing, Stauber found great success in coaching, notably leading the U.S. Women’s National Team to a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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