The Edmonton Oilers have added some depth to their goaltending ranks, signing USPORTS standout Connor Ungar to an entry-level contract.
The 22-year-old just wrapped up his rookie season at Brock University, where he was named USPORTS Rookie of the Year. He posted a 20-6-0 record, a .932 save percentage and a 2.15 goals against average. The native of Calgary, Alta., joined Brock University after wrapping up his WHL career.
He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Red Deer Rebels and Moose Jaw Warriors over parts of five seasons, where he posted a 52-20-2 record, a .917 save percentage and a 2.57 goals against average. His numbers improved every season, with his final season with the Warriors being his strongest. Playing alongside Oilers prospect Max Wanner, Ungar posted a 26-7 record, a .925 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average.
News about Ungar nearing a contract with the Oilers broke over the weekend by CBC Sports’ Ben Steiner.
Ungar has since signed an amateur tryout with the Oilers AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors, and his entry-level deal will kick in next season. According to PuckPedia, Ungar will carry a $860,000 cap hit, and received a $85,000 signing bonus on his deal.
Here’s more on the state of the Oilers goaltending ranks from our own Cam Lewis:
The Oilers have five goaltenders under contract right now and it isn’t certain which ones will be back with the organization next year.
Stuart Skinner is in the first season of a very team-friendly three-year contract and will undoubtedly be one of Edmonton’s goaltenders in 2024-25. Jack Campbell has played well in the American Hockey League since clearing through waivers but is a buyout candidate two years into the five-year contract he signed in the summer of 2022. Calvin Pickard has been very effective in Campbell’s place but will be an unrestricted free agent in the off-season.
Top goaltending prospect Olivier Rodrigue will be a restricted free agent again in the summer, this time with arbitration rights. The team’s second-round pick from the 2018 draft has a .918 save percentage in 27 games with the Bakersfield Condors this season and could soon see an opportunity with the NHL club.
Ryan Fanti, who the Oilers signed out of the NCAA a couple of years ago, will see his entry-level deal expire in the summer. He posted a .959 save percentage in six playoff games for the Fort Wayne Komets of the EHCL in 2022-23 and has a .912 save percentage over 13 games for the team this season.
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