Jaxson Stauber is no stranger to uncertainty.
The Utah Hockey Club goaltender was recalled from the AHL on Nov. 20 on a day-to-day basis but has stuck with the team for over a month. Stauber does not have a timeline for his NHL stint.
It has forced him to stay present.
“It would be nice to have a little bit clearer picture sometimes but that’s the nature of the business,” Stauber said. “In retrospect, you can look at it and say ‘Well, I’m just not looking past today.’ I think that really helps you stay grounded, keeps you focused on what you need to do today to be better.”
Stauber’s arrival in Utah came after goalie Connor Ingram was ruled out with an upper-body injury. The former starting goaltender has been sidelined for longer than expected and head coach André Tourigny has not had many updates on him — “Not close [to return],” he said of Ingram most recently.
So, Stauber remains the second piece to Utah’s netminder tandem with Karel Vejmelka who assumed the No. 1 role. Stauber has started in three games for The Club and posted a 1.96 goals against average and .928 save percentage. The 25-year-old also earned the first shutout in franchise history in the 6-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 30.
(Bethany Baker | AP) Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (19) shoots as defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) assists while Utah Hockey Club goaltender Jaxson Stauber (33) defends with defenseman Ian Cole (28) and center Logan Cooley (92) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
“I don’t know what the timeline looks like still, but hopefully things keep going well,” Stauber said.
Beyond adjusting to the NHL level, Stauber has had quite the change of scenery temporarily moving from Tucson to Salt Lake City. The netminder was initially put in an Airbnb with defenseman Maveric Lamoureux. However, Lamoureux has since moved in with veteran Robert Bortuzzo and Stauber now has the place to himself.
“I didn’t have to be in the hotel at all which was nice,” Stauber said. “I have a kitchen and a laundry machine — kind of have some normalcy.”
Stauber — who was undrafted — signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022. While he played six NHL games for the organization in the 2022-23 season, he spent the entirety of 2023-24 in the AHL with its affiliate Rockford IceHogs. Utah signed Stauber to a one-year, two-way contract in July.
“He works hard every day, well prepped,” Tourigny said of Stauber. “He has good urgency, good focus. He’s not the most vocal guy, but he’s a really good pro.”
Stauber suddenly has a second shot at making an impact in the big leagues. He’s been working closely with Utah goalie coach Corey Schwab to remain fresh between games and stretches without practice.
Utah Hockey Club goaltender Jaxson Stauber (33) stops a shot by Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
“I think the biggest thing is taking advantage of the ice time when you can. We don’t practice a lot here,” Stauber said. “So it’s really important to make sure you’re working and staying sharp because any time you can be called upon. I think just having good details, good fundamentals is key to that lasting success.”
As Utah prepared for a four-game road trip this week, Tourigny said Vejmelka would get the start Monday against the Kraken but that the team would use both of its goaltenders during the extended time away.
“He’s a really good teammate. Quiet guy, kind of like myself. I think we complement each other in that way,” Stauber said of Vejmelka. “He’s fun to be around, just watching him work every day. Trying to take little things and pick up little things.”
During Utah’s last road trip, Stauber returned to his home state. The Wayzata, Minnesota native did not play in the Dec. 20 win against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center, but friends and family made it to the game nonetheless.
“I got to go home, have dinner with my family which is something I haven’t experienced before,” Stauber said.
Despite growing up in Minnesota, Stauber’s allegiances were with the New York Rangers. His dad, Robb, was also a goaltender and played for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack in 1997-98 which went into his fandom, Stauber said. Plus, he loved watching the Hall-of-Famer Henrik Lundqvist in net.
“I was a big Henrik Lundqvist fan as well,” Stauber said. “I would go to the games when the Rangers would come to town to play the Wild.”
The Rangers will be at Delta Center on Jan. 16. Based on Ingram’s slow trajectory to return, Stauber may get an up-close look at his childhood team while playing in the same league.
Until then, though, he is only worried about the present.
“I think it was a good opportunity for me to not look too far ahead and be where I was and make the most of the opportunities if those came,” Stauber said. “Been fortunate enough to get in some games. Just trying to help the team whenever I can.”
