'The goal was the NHL': Oilers goalie Connor Ungar latest pro product from U Sports pipeline

Connor Ungar is sitting at a conference table in an empty boardroom of a downtown Toronto hotel. With his mom next to him and his father in the room, the Calgary native scans through the contract before him.

After finding where to sign, Ungar puts pen to paper — officially inking his first NHL deal on March 18.

The 22-year-old gave his mother a hug, exchanged words with his parents and in a matter of time, Ungar will be Bakersfield, Calif., bound to play with the Edmonton Oilers AHL affiliate.

"That's got to be one of the best feelings, just seeing my mom and how happy she was for me," Ungar told CBC Sports. "She's really important to me, and it felt good to make her proud."

The two-year, entry-level contract came days after Ungar's 2024 University Cup aspirations came to a screeching halt at the hands of the UNB Reds on March 14. The Brock Badgers lost to the eventual U Cup champion 4-0 in the national tournament's opening contest. The Reds also finished off an historic perfect season.

"We are disappointed we did not win the national championship," Brock Badgers head coach TJ Manastersky said. "At the same time, if you're not going to win, we got to play the best team U Sports has ever seen.

"In that game, I thought Connor was the best player on the ice."

Ungar finished his one-year-and-done university career with a 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage through 26 games and went 3-3 in the playoffs with a 2.33 GAA and .928 save percentage.

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After returning to St. Catherines, Ont., and getting organized, Ungar finally had time to sit down and soak in his first pro contract.

"It sunk in couple of days after the fact," Ungar said. "Not right away,