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Goaltender Connor Ingram working hard to rebuild confidence in AHL this season
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Photo credit: © Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Dylan Nazareth
Nov 4, 2025, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 4, 2025, 17:22 EST
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Goaltender Connor Ingram is beginning to settle into his role with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, one month after he was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers from the Utah Mammoth.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman this week, the 28-year-old opened up about returning to the AHL four years after last consistently appearing in the minor leagues.
“It’s been great here,” Ingram said. “I haven’t had to worry about anything. Just play hockey. You do what you can, play where they put you and wait your turn. That’s how it works. You have to be patient. Even if I never get an opportunity (with the Oilers), I’m happy to be here and just happy to help somebody.”
Ingram spent last season with the Utah Mammoth (then Utah Hockey Club), but began to struggle after his mother’s passing in December. Ultimately, the weight of that became too great to bear while still playing, and he stepped away from the team to seek treatment for depression.
“There were points last year where my wife wouldn’t let me drive home from the rink by myself,” Ingram said. “It was bad. It was dangerous.”
Ingram had previously entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January 2021 while playing with the Nashville Predators to receive support for undiagnosed mental health issues. Joining the Arizona Coyotes organization in October 2022, he got his career back on track and became a rising star in the organization. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse again when his dad was diagnosed with cancer, and then later his mother, whose illness took a turn for the worse last year. After her passing, he knew he had no choice but to enter the league’s player assistance program once again.
“In this profession, nothing’s given. You don’t just get to start back up and do whatever you want. You’ve got to start over. That’s how it was going to be,” he said. “When I stepped away, I knew it was probably: keep playing hockey or lose your life. I made a decision, and I accepted what was going to come next. When I went into the program, I knew that might be it. I probably wasn’t going to make it unless I did it.”
Having completed the program, he’s back on the ice with the Condors this season. He knew he’d have to start from scratch, and his focus is all on getting his on-ice skills and confidence back where they need to be.
“I’m building a foundation on rock bottom,” Ingram said. “That’s what it feels like some days. It’s a long road back.”
Working under Condors goalie coach and fellow Saskatchewan native Kelly Guard, he’s accepting that the journey ahead will be a mix of patience and hard work.
“I have everything I need to succeed here,” Ingram said. “I can’t ask for anything else. Now, it’s on me.”
Ingram has a 1-2-1 record through four appearances in Bakersfield so far this season.

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