4/1: The New York Rangers have officially signed Tung to a three-year, entry-level contract. Tung will turn pro after just one season in college. Tung will report to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack for the remainder of the season, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
3/31: Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Flames were interested in undrafted goaltender Callum Tung. It turns out they weren’t the only team seeking his services as Friedman reports (Twitter links) that the Rangers are closing in on signing the netminder with an official announcement expected on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old took over as the starting goalie at UConn down the stretch, playing in their first ever tournament games in school history in recent days where he beat Quinnipiac and lost to Penn State. On the season, he only suited up in 15 games, posting a 2.01 GAA and a .933 SV%. That earned him a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
That’s Tung’s only NCAA experience as he spent last season with Alberni Valley of the BCHL where he put up a 2.80 GAA and a .917 SV% in 38 regular season games while recording a 2.11 GAA and a .940 SV% in 18 postseason contests. He seemed to be positioned to apprentice behind Florida prospect Tyler Muszelic for a year or two and then take over as the starter but Tung played his way into that role quicker than expected.
It’s rare for a goalie to make the jump after one college campaign, particularly one who played in fewer than half the games in that lone season. Knowing that, there’s a bit more risk-reward at play for New York. If this was just a late-season hot streak, New York will be committing three years largely based on that short stretch of games. On the other hand, if Tung is a later bloomer, they could have an intriguing prospect on their hands.
While Igor Shesterkin is entrenched as the starter for the long haul after signing an eight-year extension earlier this season, New York’s future second-string option is more up for grabs. Dylan Garand is the current favorite for that spot should the Rangers eventually promote from within once Jonathan Quick calls it a career. They also have Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko under contract but they’re more long shots to contend for an NHL spot. That should give Tung a chance to work his way up their depth chart over the next few seasons although that was the plan at the college level and he wound up beating that timeline well in advance.