Connor Ingram expresses gratitude for latest NHL opportunity after turbulent road back to the league
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram spoke to the media recently about his long road back to the NHL over the last 12 months after finally making his debut with the team.
The Edmonton Oilers acquired Connor Ingram earlier this season after he was placed on waivers by the Utah Mammoth.
Ingram at the time of his acquisition was just coming out of the NHL's Player Assistance Program where he had spent several months while working on his mental and physical health.
Upon his arrival to the Oilers organization he was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL where he would look to get his career back on track and earn another NHL opportunity.
His opportunity came knocking after the unfortunate injury suffered by newly acquired Tristan Jarry.
After his first start with the Oilers, Ingram addressed the media and spoke about his gratitude toward the Oilers for giving him an opportunity.
Connor Ingram shares gratitude and excitement for opportunity with the Oilers
After his most recent appearance with the Oilers Ingram shared an inside look on his new perspective on life after his time away from hockey.
I've been through enough to know that the sun is coming up tomorrow. No matter what happens in this life, I have a wife and a family that loves me, and that's all that really matters at the end of the day.
You want to win hockey games, but there's a lot more to life than just hockey.
You want to win hockey games, but there's a lot more to life than just hockey.
Ingram then spoke about his whirlwind season and having to push through adversity after being placed on waivers and coming to the Oilers.
It was hard; I didn't get to go to [training] camp, so that was a huge setback,» Ingram said. «I was in Utah when [the trade] happened, so I took two weeks without touching the ice, and that's hard to come back from right before the season. It took me a [second] to get it going again, but at that point it's just hockey -- you put your skates on the same way no matter where you are and just go and try to do your best. Every dog has their day.
Finally, Ingram admitted he wasn't sure he'd ever get another NHL opportunity and won't be taking it for granted and will continue to work everyday to do his best.
There's a lot of days I didn't think it would ever happen again,» Ingram said. «It's just the truth of it in this world. It's a competitive game, there are 64 spots in the world to [be an NHL goalie], so you don't take it for granted any day that you're up here. It's a huge honor.
Ingram will continue to serve in a goaltending duo with Calvin Pickard over the next several weeks as Tristan Jarry works back from injury.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 91 ANSWERS Connor Ingram expresses gratitude for latest NHL opportunity after turbulent road back to the league Will Connor Ingram be better than Calvin Pickard during his time with the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 67 | 73.6 % |
| No | 24 | 26.4 % |
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