For Robb Stauber, imagination should run wild on U.S. women's hockey team

It would be overstating things to say that Robb Stauber plans to reinvent the game of hockey. Still, one day after being named head coach of the U.S. women's Olympic team, the former Gophers goalie made it clear he is not interested in the status quo.

Stauber outlined his vision for the women's national program Tuesday, at the halfway point of a Florida selection camp that will determine the 2017-18 roster. He is bringing an open mind to a sport steeped in tradition, he said, and he wants players who are bold enough to do the same. Given the depth of talent among the 42 prospects seeking spots on the national team, the Duluth native is looking for women who can add creativity and imagination to the mix — which could be the key to winning Olympic gold next February in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The team's journey starts Friday, when USA Hockey will announce the roster for the upcoming season. The group will begin training full-time in September and prepare for the Winter Games by hosting the Four Nations Cup in November, as well as a series of games against archrival Canada.

While some people lament that checking is illegal in the women's game, Stauber sees all that open ice as a blank canvas. His philosophy is to give a team filled with swift, highly skilled playmakers the freedom to innovate, along with the confidence to see where that takes them.

"I'm very open to new things," said Stauber, a Medina resident who has been involved with the U.S. women's program since 2010. "A lot of times, coaches can get stuck in a rut, based on what they know. But it's not about what we currently know. It's about what we're willing to learn.

"The stars kind of align on the women's side of the game for something a little bit different than what we might traditionally see. And we really look forward to what we can become."

That spirit led Reagan Carey, general manager and director of the U.S. women's program, to make an unexpected change in leadership. Stauber was among the first people she hired when she joined USA Hockey in 2010.

In December, Carey elevated Stauber to head coach for a two-game series against Canada. He replaced former NHL player Ken Klee, who was popular with players during a two-season run that included two world titles.

Carey praised Klee as "a great coach," but she said Tuesday that Stauber is "the best fit at the right time" as the Olympics approach.

"At the end of every season, we determine what's going to help us push forward and make gains," she said. "Robb's been a very important part of the growth and success we've had, and we've known what his vision has been for a long time. His experience as a player and coach and a student of the game gives all of us a lot of confidence for what lies ahead in 2018."

Stauber lost his first two games as head coach, as Canada swept the Team USA Winter Champions Series on Dec. 17-19. Carey has named head coaches on an event-by-event basis in recent seasons, so there was no guarantee he would stay in the role. But in March, Stauber was named head coach for the world championships, where he gave a glimpse of his ideology.

The Americans went undefeated — including two victories over Canada — and won the gold medal. They outscored opponents 28-5 with a free-flowing style that showcased their talent, rather than standard dump-and-chase tactics. Forward Hannah Brandt, a former Gopher, said Stauber encouraged players to try new things — even if they made mistakes — and was "a calm presence on the bench" who kept the team on a steady course.

"We expect them to try things, and we expect them to use their imaginations," he said. "We know that thought process, over time, is going to be a big factor in our success. If you're never willing to try something, you're not sure what you're going to get.