In a report late Saturday night, CBC sports reporter Ben Steiner reported that the Edmonton Oilers were planning to sign Brock University goaltender Connor Ungar. Based on his 22-year-old age, Ungar will be signing a two-year entry-level contract that will likely commence for the 2024–25 season. The 22-year-old netminder is currently listed at 6’2″ and 196 lbs.
Who is Connor Ungar?
Ungar recently completed his freshman season at Brock, posting a .932 SV%, 2.15 GAA and three shutouts en route to a 20–6–0 record in 26 regular season games. He followed that up with a .928 SV% and 2.33 GAA in six playoff games, going 3–3 before bowing out to Toronto Metropolitan University in the second round. The Badgers made the University Cup as the #8 seed on the backs of their regular season but lost 4–0 to perennial favourite UNB in the quarter-final in a game where Ungar made 34 saves.
In his first season with Brock, Ungar received plenty of accolades. The Calgary product received the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, was named to the U Sports All-Rookie Team and was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian. Ungar also received the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards, in addition to OUA West First Team and All-Rookie Team nominations.
Ungar broke the Brock Badgers single-season wins record with 20 in his rookie season. This is particularly significant, as Ungar is now following in the footsteps of Brock alum Logan Thompson who the previous record with 18. Thompson also signed an NHL deal after his freshman year with the Badgers where he posted a .934 SV%.
Before joining Brock University, Ungar spent five seasons in the Western Hockey League, with stints with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Red Deer Rebels and Moose Jaw Warriors. He finished his career with 87 games played, a .917 SV%, 2.56 GAA and three shutouts. Based on the available video, during his first few seasons in the WHL, he also made appearances with the Okotoks Oilers and Whitecourt Wolverines of the AJHL. Ungar looks like a technically solid goalie, with good lateral movement and a strong ability to recover.
Where does Ungar fit into Edmonton’s system?
The Oilers currently have five goalies signed to NHL deals, with an additional netminder signed to an AHL contract and another on an ECHL contract. Ryan Fanti’s ELC expires this year leaving him as an RFA, while Brett Brochu was on a one-year ECHL contract and Tyler Parks was on a one-year AHL contract, leaving the crease wide open for the Fort Wayne Komets. This is where I’d expect Ungar to start his professional career—much like Thompson did when he joined Vegas’ organization.
The situation in Bakersfield is also in flux, with Jack Campbell likely to receive a buyout of the final three years of his contract this summer and Olivier Rodrigue becoming an RFA once again. Rodrigue will be an interesting case, as the 23-year-old has .918 SV% so far this season after a .912 SV% last year, and will now have arbitration rights in addition to being waiver-eligible next season. This is in addition to Calvin Pickard‘s pending unrestricted free agency.
The Ungar signing will also mark the first signing the Oilers have made in goal since they hired Jeff Salajko as a goaltending scout over the summer of 2023.
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