Oct 22, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) warms up before a game against the Ottawa Senators at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah Goalie Gets First Start Following Mother's Passing

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Nick Horwat | Last updated Jan 11, 2025 2:41 PM ET

Utah Hockey Club starting goalie Connor Ingram is set to return to the lineup after nearly two months away. While he initially left due to injury, it was later revealed that Ingram has been absent from the Utah lineup to grieve the death of his mother.

According to Ingram, he requested time away from Utah at the end of November to be with his mother. Ingram says his mother passed away from cancer on December 3 and he was home for at least the next 10 days.

Ingram took the time away from hockey to grieve, and the team donated money to multiple charities and organizations in her honor.

After a brief stint with the Tuscan Roadrunners of the American Hockey League to recuperate, Ingram is back with the Utah Hockey Club and ready for his first NHL start since November 18.

So, your goalie matchup in Utah is #Isles Marcus Hogberg vs. #UtahHC Connor Ingram.

It'll be an emotional start for Ingram, who is playing his first game since Nov. 18 as he was dealing with the loss of his mother.
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) January 11, 2025

Ingram left that contest against the Washington Capitals early with an upper-body injury.

Utah Hockey Club is set for the second half of a back-to-back situation. They defeated the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on home ice, and are ready to host the New York Islanders for their first visit to Utah.

Ingram holds a 6-4-3 record as Utah’s starting goalie with a .871 save percentage and 3.61 goals against average. Despite the lagging counting stats, Ingram was one of the top goalies in the NHL through the first few weeks of the season.

At 27 years old, Ingram is coming off of a solid season with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24, before their relocation to Utah. In 93 career games, Ingram has a 36-40-14 record with a .902 save percentage and 3.17 goals against average.

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: