Rangers to sign Callum Tung to entry-level contract

A young netminder who is coming off an incredible season in college hockey has earned a pro contract.

Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the New York Rangers are closing in on signing goaltender Callum Tung to an entry-level contract.

Per Seravalli, Tung will be joining the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Tung is an undrafted netminder, but his name jumped onto NHL teams’ radars thanks to a great season at the University of Connecticut. Though he split the season with Florida Panthers prospect Tyler Muszelik throughout the season, Hockey East Coach of the Year Mike Cavanaugh tabbed Tung to be the starting goaltender as the team made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The 21-year-old helped the Huskies grab their first win in the tournament last Friday, making 21 saves to eliminate Quinnipiac in the semifinal of the Allentown Regional.

Then, with a spot in the Frozen Four on the line, Tung did everything he could against host Penn State on Sunday, turning away 38 shots. However, the freshman was beaten by Matt DiMarsisco in overtime, sending UConn to a 3-2 loss.

Coming up short of the Frozen Four didn’t fully damper what was a great year for Tung. Despite playing in just 15 games, the Port Moody, British Columbia native posted a 10-4-1 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage, earning a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

Tung was a very under-the-radar prospect prior to college. However, a solid 2023-24 campaign with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL led to him finding a spot on a D-I roster. With the Bulldogs, Tung went 22-14-1 with a 2.80 GAA, a .917 SV% and three shutouts.

The Rangers (35-32-7) are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, just outside the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Wolf Pack (27-30-8) is seventh in the AHL’s Atlantic Division, 10 points back of the last playoff spot.