March 18, 2024 by Eric Friesen

The Edmonton Oilers signed free-agent goalie Connor Ungar to a two-year, entry-level contract on Monday.

Ungar is living proof that perseverance can pay off. Despite going undrafted in both the WHL Bantam Draft and NHL Draft, Ungar steadily improved throughout his WHL career, and took a massive step forward in his development with the Brock University Badgers this season, earning him an NHL career.

The Calgary, Alberta native played parts of five WHL seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings (2018-2021), Red Deer Rebels (2021-22) and Moose Jaw Warriors (2022-23), posting a 53-20-2 record with a 2.57 goals against average, a .917 save percentage and three shutouts in 87 career WHL games. After spending the bulk of his major junior career as a backup, Ungar won his first playoff series as a starter in the 2023 WHL playoffs, backstopping the Warriors to a first round sweep of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The 22-year-old posted a 20-6-0 record with a 2.15 goals against average, a .932 save percentage and three shutouts in 26 U-Sports games as a rookie with the Badgers this season. He helped the Badgers reach the 2024 OUA Semi-Final, where the were upset by TMU Bold. Ungar won the 2023-24 OUA West Goaltender of the Year and the OUA West Rookie of the Year. Ungar was also named to the 2023-24 OUA West First All-Star Team and the OUA West All-Rookie Team.

Ungar was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL after inking his first pro contract with the Oilers. While he still has a long way to go to realize his NHL dream, Ungar is thankful for the opportunity to join the Oilers organization, and hopefully work his way up to the big club in the future.

“It’s difficult to find the exact words to describe what [signing with the Oilers] means to me,” said Ungar in an interview with gobadgers.ca. “I’m very grateful to have this next chance and beyond excited to see where it may lead.”

This signing makes a lot of sense for the Oilers, who don’t have many draft picks over the next years. The Oilers are in win-now mode, so draft picks will be constantly dealt in an effort to upgrade the team for Stanley Cup runs. Adding a more developed goalie like Ungar to their prospect pool makes up for some of the draft picks the Oilers have sent out recently.

NHL clubs can never have enough depth in goal. Stuart Skinner is locked in as the Oilers’ No. 1 goalie until at least 2025-26, but there will be an open competition for jobs between the pipes throughout the organization next season. Calvin Pickard has exceeded expectations as Edmonton’s backup netminder since he was recalled on November 8, 2023.

Olivier Rodrigue has put up excellent numbers with the Condors over the past two seasons, and he should be in the mix for a roster spot with the Oilers next fall. After playing four seasons in the AHL, Rodrigue would need to clear waivers for the Oilers to send him down to the Condors again in 2024-25, which increases his chances of making the big club. Ryan Fanti has put up solid numbers in goal with the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL this season, and could be ready to handle the backup job in Bakersfield in 2024-25.

Ungar has yet to play a single pro game, so it’s too early to know if he’s ready to be a full-time AHL goalie. I think the Oilers envision Ungar eventually taking over the starter’s job with the Condors, but he could need a season or two in the backup role, or possibly even some time in the ECHL.

All-in-all, this seems like a great fit for both the Oilers and Ungar.