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Robb Stauber switched from goaltender to center this week, but it wasn't last Saturday's 11-3 loss to Michigan Tech that caused the move, even though Gophers coach Doug Woog has juggled just about everybody else.
No, the only thing that could cause Stauber - who is the best goaltender in college hockey by some estimations - to move to center was the arrival of Christmas and Stauber's return home to Duluth.
There are six Stauber boys and they all either played or still play hockey. When they come home for Christmas, there are some quality pick-up games at the nearby Piedmont Community Center rink.
"We've got so many wings in the family that I have to play center," said Robb Stauber with a laugh.
Woog can relax. Even though Stauber gave up nine of the goals against Michigan Tech last Saturday, he is not thinking of making the move permanently. He'll be back at Mariucci Arena for Sunday's "Skate with the Gophers" and accompanying alumni games and is prepared to return to the nets against the U.S. Olympic team on New Year's Eve.
Meanwhile, here are the rosters for the pick-up games:
John Stauber, 27, is married and works for a wholesale lumber firm and is finishing up a business administration degree at Wisconsin-Superior. He played defense in high school hockey at Duluth Denfeld and he played on two amateur teams last year.
Jamie Stauber, 25, played for Denfeld and for two years at Wisconsin-Eau Claire before transferring to Minnesota-Duluth. Also married, he has a degree in geography and is training to be an Air Force navigator. ("I wanted to be a flyer," said Robb, "but Jamie's beating me to it, so I'll have to do something else.")
Danny Stauber, 24, a senior left wing and currently the leading scorer at Wisconsin-Superior with eight goals and 18 assists. He didn't play much in high school but is making up for it.
Pete Stauber, 21, sophomore left wing at highly rated Lake Superior State. After starring at Denfeld, he played at Austin and Rochester in the U.S. Junior League and now has 14 goals and 15 assists as Lake Superior contends for the CCHA lead.
Robb Stauber, 20, a leading candidate for...