Yesterday afternoon, it was announced that the Edmonton Oilers signed goalie Connor Ungar to a two year entry-level contract.
The 22 year old Calgary native had 26 starts for Brock University in the OUAA this season, posting a 20-6 record with a .932 SV% and 2.15 GAA. In 6 Playoffs games with the Badgers, he posted a .928 SV% and 2.33 GAA.
Edmonton’s goaltending pipeline has been pretty busy these last couple of years. You may remember that back in 2022, they signed NCAA goalie Ryan Fanti. Although the 24-year-old has struggled in his first 9 total starts with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, posting an .883 SV% and 3.88 GAA, he has been posting solid numbers for the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets with a .912 SV% and 2.85 GAA this season.
Edmonton also has their 2018 62nd overall pick, Olivier Rodrigue. The 23-year-old has a .918 SV% and 2.71 GAA in 27 games for Bakersfield this season. And then, of course, there is Jack Campbell. He is having a really stellar AHL season in what has been meant to be his confidence boost before eventually coming back to the NHL. In 28 games for Bakersfield, he has a .920 SV% and 2.60 GAA.
Fanti and Rodrigue will need new contracts this summer, and no Oilers fan believes Campbell will back in Edmonton next season, even if he’s back before this postseason starts. Rodrigue is viewed as a future back-up goalie option for Stuart Skinner, and may very well be auditioning for that spot in the 2024/2025 preseason. Assuming that the Oilers trade Campbell in the offseason, the Condors should have their next tandem of Fanti/Ungar all set for next year.
Do you like this signing? Do you not? Let me know.
