Connor Ingram's Significant, Brief Stint with the Oilers

Connor Ingram spent only nine months with the Edmonton Oilers organization, occupying a dressing room stall for roughly half that time and playing 37 games. Despite this brevity, few players in Oilers history have had such a positive impact in such a short period.

Ingram Announces Retirement

Ingram, who became a free agent earlier this summer without signing with a new team, announced his retirement from hockey on Friday, September 11th. His NHL career spanned five seasons with the Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes/Utah Hockey Club, and the Oilers, totaling 134 regular-season games and nine playoff appearances. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the 29-year-old goaltender plans to return to school to study psychology.

Unique Perspective in Hockey

It's uncommon for an NHL player to retire before turning 30, especially to pursue higher education in a complex field. Ingram, however, is not a typical single-minded professional athlete. Having navigated personal challenges and setbacks, he brings a distinctive perspective to hockey: life extends beyond the game.

Overcoming Obstacles

Originally selected 88th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Draft and later traded to Nashville in 2019, Ingram spent his initial professional seasons in the minors. Before playing his first NHL regular-season game, he nearly retired due to undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and persistent depression. He entered the NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program, which he credits with revitalizing his life and career.

After appearing in three games for the Predators in the 2021-22 season, Ingram was claimed off waivers by Arizona, playing 27 games for the Coyotes in 2022-23. In 2023-24, Ingram established himself as Arizona's primary netminder, recording a 23-21-3 record with a 2.91 goals-against average (GAA) and a .907 save percentage (SV%) in 50 games. He received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Following the team's relocation and rebranding as the Utah Hockey Club, Ingram continued with the team, playing 22 games in 2024-25. He missed the season's final weeks after re-entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to seek support following his mother's death from breast cancer.

Joining the Oilers

On October 1, 2025, just before the NHL season began, Utah traded Ingram to Edmonton for future considerations. Despite some believing he should have started with the Oilers due to goaltending instability, Ingram was initially assigned to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

Goaltending remained a significant issue for Edmonton. On December 12th, the Oilers traded Stuart Skinner, Cody Ceci, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry. However, after Jarry was injured in his third game, and needing a second healthy goalie, the Oilers recalled Ingram on December 19th.

Ingram Stabilizes the Crease

Expectations for Ingram in Edmonton were modest, but he quickly surpassed Calvin Pickard. In his first month, he posted a 5-3-1 record with a 2.22 GAA and .917 SV%. When Jarry returned from injury mid-January, the Oilers kept Ingram, sending Pickard to Bakersfield.

As Jarry struggled, Ingram provided consistent goaltending through February and March, helping the underperforming Oilers secure a playoff spot and ultimately finish second in the Pacific Division.

Ingram concluded the regular season with a 16-10-3 record, 2.60 GAA, and .899 SV% in 32 games, leading Edmonton in all goaltending metrics. His performance likely was crucial for Edmonton to make the postseason and secure home-ice advantage in the first round. He was named Edmonton's 2025-26 nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, despite starting only 30 games.

The Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the first round. Ingram started five of those games, in net for both Oilers victories. While his series stats (3.86 GAA, .876 SV%) weren't strong, the team's elimination was a collective failure.

Impact Off the Ice

Beyond his on-ice contributions, Ingram significantly impacted Edmonton by openly sharing his thoughts. He quickly developed a reputation for candid and insightful interviews, resonating with Oilers fans and the broader hockey community, and undoubtedly influencing the atmosphere in the Rogers Place dressing room.

His willingness to discuss his struggles likely helped many others. In a league often characterized by clichés and superstar personas, Ingram offered a relatable human presence.

His farewell message to the NHL on Instagram perfectly captured his essence: "Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened. Thanks hockey, I owe ya."

Ingram could have continued his hockey career, likely finding a roster spot for organizational depth at minimum. Instead, he is following his passion. In this new chapter, he will continue to make a difference, just off the ice.