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Ungar is something of a late bloomer. The Calgary native played parts of 3 seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings, but saw just 15 games of action in total over that span. But over the last 3, he’s been the #1 man for 3 different clubs, piling up the wins while posting increasingly excellent save percentages of .911 for Red Deer Rebels, .925 for Moose Jaw Warriors in his over-age season, and now an eye-popping .932 for Brock in his first and only campaign in U SPORTS.

While players from Canadian university backgrounds don’t commonly make it all the way to the NHL these days, a recent major exception was also a goaltender… for Brock University. In 2018-19 another former Wheat King Logan Thompson similarly played 1 year at that institution, posting a .934 save percentage before turning pro that spring. He was ultimately signed by Vegas Golden Knights where the now 27-year-old has amassed 93 NHL games with a .911 save percentage.

• Logan Thompson, 2018-19: 18-6-0, 2.22, .934
• Connor Ungar, 2023-24: 20-6-0, 2.15, .932

Each having played an over-aage season in the Dub, both players turned 22 early in the new year of their season at Brock,

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That school’s men’s hockey page had the following summary of Ungar’s season earlier this month:

Collecting two major awards, first-year Connor Ungar took the league by storm, as he was named both the OUA West Goaltender of the Year and OUA West Rookie of the Year. On top of that, the Calgary product also earned a spot on the OUA West First Team and the OUA West All-Rookie Team. Ungar set a program record with 20 regular season wins, placing him first in the OUA and U SPORTS in that category. His 2.15 goals against average (GAA) and .932 save percentage (SV%) were both fourth in the province during the regular season, with his SV% placing him fifth in the country.  

“Connor is professional in his preparation and development,” said [head coach T.J.] Manastersky. “Having a committed player who performs at such a high level puts pressure on our opponents every game.”

With his addition, there are now 6 signed goaltenders in the Oilers system, all of whom are trending well:

NHL:

• Stu Skinner: 30-13-4, 2.57, .908
• Calvin Pickard: 9-4-0, 2.27, .919

AHL:

• Jack Campbell: 16-11-0, 2.60, .920
• Olivier Rodrigue: 14-8-4, 2.71, .918

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ECHL:

• Ryan Fanti: 7-4-2, 2.85, .912

OUAA:

• Connor Ungar, 20-6-0, .2.15, .932

Pickard, Rodrigue and Fanti are on expiring contracts, with the Oilers holding RFA rights on the latter 2 stoppers and rumoured to be negotiating an extension with Pickard.

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Update:

Good news on Oilers defeceman Vincent Desharnais: