The Edmonton Oilers' search for consistent goaltending has taken an intriguing turn with the promotion of a previously overlooked prospect. Connor Ungar, who has been statistically the most successful netminder in the organization this season, has been called up from the ECHL to the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors.
An Unexpected Rise Through the Ranks
Ungar's ascent is a surprise story in the Oilers' system. The 23-year-old, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 205 pounds, was not considered a top prospect after posting a .903 save percentage in 35 games with the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets last season. He was effectively replaced in Fort Wayne this year by younger prospects Nathaniel Day and Samuell Jonsson.
This season, Ungar became a hockey nomad, playing for three different ECHL teams: Greensboro, Fort Wayne, and Orlando. Despite the instability, his performance was nothing short of stellar. In 11 total games, Ungar compiled a remarkable 0.944 save percentage, decisively outperforming every other goalie under contract with the Oilers organization.
Promotion Triggered by NHL Roster Shuffle
Ungar's promotion to Bakersfield on December 19, 2025, was necessitated by a chain reaction starting at the NHL level. Oilers starter Tristan Jarry was injured during a game in Boston, forcing him to return to Edmonton for medical evaluation. To fill his spot, the Oilers called up AHL veteran Connor Ingram.
This created an opening in Bakersfield, which Ungar has now filled. His call-up is a direct result of his outstanding play, making him the organization's most compelling goaltending wild card. The Oilers had initially planned for a veteran (Matt Tomkins) and a younger goalie in the AHL, but plans changed with Ingram's signing and the ongoing uncertainty in the NHL crease.
What's Next for the Hot Goalie?
The duration of Ungar's AHL stint is fluid, depending primarily on two factors: Jarry's recovery timeline and Ungar's own performance in Bakersfield. He arrives with tremendous momentum, and the organization has a clear need for reliable goaltending at both the AHL and NHL levels.
While excelling in the ECHL is one thing, succeeding in the AHL is the proven pathway to an NHL opportunity. If Ungar can maintain his elite level of play against tougher competition in the AHL, the possibility of an NHL debut this season becomes realistic. He has transformed from an organizational afterthought into a potential solution for Edmonton's perennial goaltending questions.
The promotion represents a significant opportunity for Ungar to prove his 0.944 save percentage was no fluke. For the Oilers, it offers a chance to evaluate a player who has forcefully played his way into the conversation. In the high-stakes game of NHL goaltending, Edmonton may have just found a wild card worth playing.
