Connor Ungar is sitting at a convention desk in an empty boardroom of a downtown Toronto lodge. Along with his mother subsequent to him and his father within the room, the Calgary native scans by way of the contract earlier than him.
After discovering the place to signal, Ungar places pen to paper — formally inking his first NHL deal on March 18.
The 22-year-old gave his mom a hug, exchanged phrases together with his dad and mom and in a matter of time, Ungar will likely be Bakersfield, Calif., sure to play with the Edmonton Oilers AHL affiliate.
“That is received to be probably the greatest emotions, simply seeing my mother and the way glad she was for me,” Ungar informed CBC Sports activities. “She’s actually vital to me, and it felt good to make her proud.”
The 2-year, entry-level contract got here days after Ungar’s 2024 College Cup aspirations got here to a screeching halt by the hands of the UNB Reds on March 14. The Brock Badgers misplaced to the eventual U Cup champion 4-0 within the nationwide match’s opening contest. The Reds additionally completed off an historic good season.
“We’re dissatisfied we didn’t win the nationwide championship,” Brock Badgers head coach TJ Manastersky mentioned. “On the similar time, in case you’re not going to win, we received to play one of the best staff U Sports activities has ever seen.
“In that sport, I believed Connor was one of the best participant on the ice.”
Ungar completed his one-year-and-done college profession with a 2.15 GAA and .932 save proportion by way of 26 video games and went 3-3 within the playoffs with a 2.33 GAA and .928 save proportion.
WATCH | UNB Reds full good season, defend males’s hockey title:
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The New Brunswick Reds defeat the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Patriotes 4-0 to cap off their good season and efficiently defend their College Cup championship.
After returning to St. Catherines, Ont., and getting organized, Ungar lastly had time to take a seat down and soak in his first professional contract.
“It sunk in couple of days after the actual fact,” Ungar mentioned. “Not immediately, however it undoubtedly sunk in and put butterflies in my abdomen.”
Ungar is predicted to go away for Bakersfield on the finish of March. To remain sharp, he is nonetheless getting in reps on the ice on the Walker Sports activities Centre, however his signing has made him an area superstar.
“Persons are popping out and watching him now. Connor’s the discuss of the city,” Brock’s goalie coach Ryan Ludzik mentioned. “Everybody is looking and speaking; the NHL deal is a giant deal.”
Hockey’s best-kept secret
Ludzik related with their first-year netminder earlier than Brock’s season kicked off to proceed growing his abilities. Ludzik remembers Ungar, noting his monitoring, posture within the internet, positioning of his fingers, and studying performs as areas he wished to enhance.
“Some goalies have a tough time admitting a fault of theirs or one thing they should work on. [With] some goalies, there may be pushback — not with him,” Ludzik mentioned. “Connor is pushed.
“He needs to be higher. He needs to be one of the best.”
Ungar hit on all these notes all through final season. His enchancment helped his pro-career case, and by signing his deal, he follows a line of latest profitable goalie tales from the Badgers system.
First-year netminder Roman Basran signed an ECHL deal following the 2022-23 season. Earlier than Basran, Stanley Cup champion and Vegas Golden Knights goalie Logan Thompson was one other one-and-done goalie from Badgers.
Clint Windsor was the primary within the latest pro-goalie pipeline by the Badgers. Windsor performed in Europe after a four-year stint on the college from 2014-2018.
Many males’s U Sports activities hockey gamers are signing skilled contracts. 5 gamers have signed offers since UNB received the U Cup on March 17, with extra anticipated to comply with.
“U Sports activities, sadly, is the best-kept secret in hockey,” Manastersky mentioned.
For Ungar, the teaching workers knew what his objectives have been since his first few days on the college.
“We knew the objective was the NHL,” Manastersky mentioned. “We have been making an attempt to set him up for fulfillment and provides him a chance to attain that dream.”
Alberta ties
Being born in Calgary, Ungar naturally grew up a Flames fan. However when he began enjoying goalie, the Los Angeles Kings caught his eye because of their beginning netminder — Jonathan Fast.
He cut up time cheering for his hometown squad and his favorite goalie. Nonetheless, Ungar lived together with his aunt and uncle in Edmonton whereas enjoying midget hockey, spending vital time within the metropolis whereas chasing his childhood dream.
Ungar is taking every thing in the future at a time. He understands he has to earn ice time on the Condors after which finally earn his subsequent professional contract. However as he seems into the years forward, there are a few folks he aspires to have within the stands if he makes the NHL.
“Hopefully I can get to the massive leagues in the future and have my two little cousins develop up watching me,” Ungar mentioned. “That is trying into the long run somewhat too far, however that’s one thing to maintain behind your thoughts.”
