Yesterday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers announced the signing of goaltender Connor Ungar to a two-year entry-level contract.
The 22-year-old Calgary native showcased impressive performance during his tenure at Brock University in the OUAA this season, making 26 starts and tallying a remarkable 20-6 record with a .932 SV% and 2.15 GAA. In the playoffs, he demonstrated his skill further, recording a .928 SV% and 2.33 GAA across six games with the Badgers.
Edmonton’s goaltending pipeline has been notably active in recent years. In 2022, the team signed NCAA goalie Ryan Fanti, who, despite facing challenges in his first nine starts with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, has displayed solid performance for the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets this season, boasting a .912 SV% and 2.85 GAA. Additionally, Olivier Rodrigue, drafted 62nd overall in 2018, has maintained a .918 SV% and 2.71 GAA in 27 games with Bakersfield. Meanwhile, Jack Campbell has excelled in the AHL this season, with a .920 SV% and 2.60 GAA in 28 games for Bakersfield, indicating his potential return to the NHL.
As Fanti and Rodrigue are due for new contracts this summer, and Campbell’s future with the Oilers remains uncertain, Ungar’s signing positions the Condors well for the upcoming season. Rodrigue is viewed as a potential backup option for Stuart Skinner, with the 2024/2025 preseason potentially serving as his audition for the role.
What are your thoughts on this signing? Let me know your thoughts.