Connor Ungar’s Rise Puts Oilers’ Goalie Pipeline in the Spotlight
For years, the Edmonton Oilers have been searching for stability in net. From inconsistent performances to injury setbacks, goaltending has been a persistent question mark for a team loaded with offensive firepower.
But now, with Tristan Jarry healthy again and Stuart Skinner traded, the crease is crowded-and not just at the NHL level. The real intrigue might be unfolding a few hours south in Bakersfield, where an unheralded name is starting to make waves: Connor Ungar.
Let’s set the stage. With Jarry back from injury, the Oilers are carrying three goalies on the NHL roster-Jarry, Connor Ingram (called up from the AHL during Jarry’s absence), and Calvin Pickard.
That’s already a bit of a logjam, but the ripple effect goes deeper. Sending either Pickard or Ingram back down risks clogging the pipeline in Bakersfield, where younger prospects like Ungar are just starting to get their shot.
And Ungar? He’s making the most of it.
From the ECHL to the AHL-and Straight Into the Conversation
At 24, Ungar isn’t your typical blue-chip goalie prospect. He’s taken the long road-one that included stops in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), a five-year run in the WHL with three different teams, and a standout season at Brock University in U Sports. He went undrafted at every level, but that hasn’t stopped him from climbing.
After signing with the Oilers in 2024, Ungar spent most of last season with the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. His numbers were solid-2.74 goals-against average (GAA) and a .903 save percentage (SV%) in 35 games-but playing time wasn’t always consistent.
This season, that inconsistency continued, as he dressed for three different ECHL clubs: Fort Wayne, Greensboro, and Orlando. Despite the constant movement, Ungar put up stellar numbers across the board-sub-1.70 GAA and a SV% north of .943 with each team.
That kind of performance demands attention, and when Ingram was called up to the NHL, Ungar got the nod to join the Bakersfield Condors. Since arriving, he’s been lights out: a 5-0-0 record, 1.38 GAA, and a .953 SV%. Those aren’t just good numbers-they’re the kind of stats that force an organization to take notice.
Can Ungar Be the Answer?
The Oilers have been chasing goaltending consistency for years. Whether it was veterans on short-term deals or homegrown talent that didn’t quite pan out, the crease has often been a revolving door. But Ungar’s early returns suggest something different.
He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it with limited reps, in unfamiliar environments, and under the kind of pressure that can derail less resilient players. The fact that he’s succeeded with four different teams this season, despite staggered starts and constant transitions, speaks volumes about his mental toughness and adaptability.
Since his brief stint with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2019-20-where he posted a .892 SV%-Ungar hasn’t dipped below .900 in any league. That kind of consistency is rare, especially for a goalie who’s had to fight for every opportunity. And now, with a legitimate sample size in the AHL, he’s making a compelling case to be more than just organizational depth.
If he continues this trajectory, Ungar could earn a long look at training camp next season. The Oilers don’t need him to be a savior overnight-but if he can provide reliable backup minutes behind Jarry, that alone would be a massive win for a team that’s long been starved for goaltending depth.
What’s Next for Edmonton’s Goalie Picture?
With three NHL goalies and a suddenly crowded AHL crease, the Oilers have some decisions to make. Waiving Pickard or Ingram could create a bottleneck in Bakersfield, potentially stalling the development of guys like Ungar. That’s why it might make sense to carry all three NHL netminders through the Olympic break, then reassess.
In the bigger picture, Ungar’s rise is a reminder of how unpredictable goalie development can be. You can draft a netminder in the second round and never hear from him again-or you can find a guy like Ungar grinding through the ECHL who suddenly looks like a legitimate NHL option.
That’s why it’s crucial to bring in new goalie prospects every year, whether through the draft or undrafted free agency. You never know when you’ll hit on one.
So, is Connor Ungar the future in Edmonton? It’s too early to say for sure.
But based on what we’ve seen so far, he’s earned the right to be in the conversation. And for a team that’s been searching for answers between the pipes, that’s a storyline worth watching.