OUR STORY
WHO WE ARE.WHY WE DO IT.
HAUS is for anyone committed to the process of their craft in order to grow as a human being — what we call "building your HAUS."
FROM THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED US
Building your own house.
There is a chapter in Joshua Medcalf's book, Chop Wood Carry Water, titled "Building Your Own House." It tells the story of a "world famous" architect who approaches his boss to retire after a long and illustrious career. However, instead of allowing him to do so, his boss asks him to complete one more house before he leaves the firm. The architect reluctantly accepted and went to work. The problem was his heart was not in it. He was going through the motions, because "he viewed it more as an obligation than an opportunity."
When the house was finished, he went back to his boss and again asked to retire. His boss said okay this time, and as a parting gift gave him the key to the house he had just built. The architect knew it was not even close to his best work, and immediately regretted how he had approached the project. Now he was stuck living in a house that was built with mediocre standards.
This powerful story is a reminder that no matter the circumstances, YOU are always building the foundation for your future — YOU are always building your HAUS.
THE FOUNDERS
Meet the founders.
Strauss Mann
Professional goalie · Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
Prior, the Connecticut native played for the Montreal Canadiens and SJ Sharks organizations, as well as the Augsburger Panther in Germany (DEL). In 2022, Strauss represented Team USA at the Beijing Winter Olympics as well as the World Championships. At the University of Michigan he was named 2020 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and later the first goalie team captain at Michigan in 78 years.
Michael Kapla
Defenseman · HC Fribourg-Gottéron (NL)
Before heading overseas, the Wisconsin native played with the New Jersey Devils as well as the Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs organizations. At UMass Lowell he played in four Hockey East Finals, winning 2 Championships, and served as captain his final two seasons. Michael finds passion outside of hockey in health, human performance, psychology, spirituality, and personal development.
Ace Cowans
Former professional player
Ace has turned his devotion towards supporting athletes on their journey of self-discovery and self-mastery. He graduated the University of Vermont as a multi-year All-American Scholar, then played two years of professional hockey in Sweden and Germany before wrapping up his career in Sydney, Australia in the AIHL.
