Connor Ungar shines in Bakersfield return, stops 16 in first period

Connor Ungar did not ease back into Bakersfield. He announced himself immediately, turning aside 16 shots in the first period and absorbing one power-play goal without letting the night spin away from him. For an Edmonton organization still sorting out its goaltending pipeline, that kind of frame matters more than a routine save total. It was a reminder that the Condors may have a legitimate NHL conversation piece if Ungar keeps stacking nights like this.

The 24-year-old Calgary native has taken the long road to get here. Ungar signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers, spent much of the 2025-26 season in the ECHL, and then worked his way back to Bakersfield. TheAHL.com listed him with 12 AHL games played this season entering this appearance, a number that reflects how often Edmonton has had to move him around while trying to get him the right reps at the right level.

That path has been anything but linear. Coverage noted that Ungar played for four different teams in his first 12 games of the season, a staggered development track that usually says as much about organizational patience as it does about the player. At 6-foot-0 and 205 pounds, according to HockeyDB, he does not fit the oversized modern goalie template, which makes his performance even more noteworthy. He has had to win on tracking, positioning and rebound control, not just reach.

He has already shown Bakersfield what he can do when the puck is finding him. In his AHL debut, the Condors said Ungar stopped 35 of 37 shots and earned the win. In another Bakersfield outing, he stopped 28 of 31 shots and picked up his second victory in as many starts. Those numbers matter because they show this was not a one-night spike. Bakersfield has seen multiple strong performances from him this season, and this return added another one to the file.

That is where the real story sits for Edmonton. Goaltending remains one of the most scrutinized spots in the organization, and Ungar has gone from a depth name to a potential longer-term option if the run continues. One hot period does not rewrite a prospect chart, but 16 saves in the first frame back in Bakersfield is exactly the kind of performance that can push a goalie back onto the radar.