The Edmonton Oilers have made a move to bolster their goaltender depth by acquiring Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth. Ingram, 27 years old, who recently cleared waivers, will be joining the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
As part of the deal, Utah will retain $800,000 of Ingram’s $1.95-million average annual value. Oilers’ general manager Stan Bowman sees this acquisition as providing valuable depth to their roster, especially in the crucial goaltender position that can be challenging to fill in case of injuries.
Ingram, who has faced personal challenges in the past, including entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program due to his mother’s passing, has shown resilience and dedication to the sport. He was honored with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2024 for his perseverance and commitment to hockey.
Having struggled with mental health issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, Ingram sought help through the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in 2021. Despite his past struggles, he has proven himself as a capable goaltender, posting a 3.27 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage in 22 games with Utah last season.
Bowman expressed confidence in Ingram’s abilities and emphasized the importance of helping him regain his top form. Ingram will now join the Oilers’ goaltending mix, which includes Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, potentially adding competition for the starting role.
With Skinner and Pickard both in the final year of their contracts, the Oilers will need to make decisions regarding their goaltending situation in the upcoming months. Bowman acknowledged the possibility of contract extensions but also highlighted the benefit of having motivated goalies competing for their future roles on the team.
