'He Was Our Backbone': Ungar Put Together a Stellar Final WHL Season
Published on May 4, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Connor Ungar wasn't drafted into the Western Hockey League, but finished his career by being one of the best goalies in the league as a 20-year-old.
"He was our backbone," Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said.
During the 2022-23 season, Ungar set a career-high with 38 appearances, 26 wins and a 0.925 save percentage. He also made more saves, 1,249, than every other season combined.
"Connor was lights out for us all season," Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk said.
Ungar kept his strong play going into the playoffs where he posted a 6-3-1 record in 10 games with a 2.74 goals against average and a 0.915 save percentage.
The Calgary product said he couldn't have asked for a better final season in the WHL.
"Moose Jaw's been great, the fans, the people here, the team, they're all great," Ungar said.
Ungar joined the Warriors in a trade with the Red Deer Rebels at the 2022 WHL Draft, helping to solidify the team's goaltending in tandem with Jackson Unger.
Ungar was coming off a career year with the Rebels where he split time in their net with Chase Coward, posting a 21-9-1 record in 34 games with a career-best 2.43 goals against average.
Ungar started his WHL career with the Brandon Wheat Kings, making 15 appearances over three seasons.
"This is his third team now, he did it the hard way," O'Leary said. "He wasn't really a bonafide starter until this year, he put in his time, he didn't complain, he just showed up and worked.
"He prepares himself like no other goalie I've seen, whether that's in the gym, in practice, watching video, everything that we see when the bright lights go on - the wins and the saves - all that's just a byproduct of everything that he does beforehand."
Ungar said he came into this season focused on getting better everyday.
"I tried to give the team a guy that could be relied upon and I'm proud of myself," he said.
Ungar made big saves look routine throughout the season and helped catapult the Warriors to their first 40-plus win season since 2018-19.
He said wanted to prove that he's capable of playing at the next level and that remains his goal.
"It's sad that this is the end of one journey, but I look forward to keeping things going and starting a new chapter," he said.
"You don't know what's going to happen next, but you just put your head down, keep working hard and hopefully something pops pop here."
Western Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2023
- Hlady, Kaplan Earn CSSHL MVP Honors - Everett Silvertips
- Pats 2023 Prospect Update Pt. 4 - Regina Pats
- Brayden Yager Wins WHL's Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy - Moose Jaw Warriors
- ICE Host Games 1 & 2 of WHL Championship Series - Winnipeg Ice
- Yager Awarded Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player - WHL
- 2023 Hockey School Set - Tri-City Americans
- Stankoven Awarded Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy as WHL Humanitarian of the Year - WHL
- 'He Was Our Backbone': Ungar Put Together a Stellar Final WHL Season - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Blades Eliminated from 2023 WHL Playoffs - Saskatoon Blades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
