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Who is Italy's goalie? Meet Ducks prospect Damian Clara, who made 46 saves in Olympic debut vs. Sweden
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- Who is Italy's goalie? Meet Ducks prospect Damian Clara, who made 46 saves in Olympic debut vs. Sweden
Who is Italy's goalie? Meet Ducks prospect Damian Clara, who made 46 saves in Olympic debut vs. Sweden originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
In a tournament designed to showcase the world's most expensive NHL superstars, it was a 21-year-old from the South Tyrol mountains who stole the spotlight on opening night in Milan.
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Damian Clara, the first Italian-born player ever drafted into the NHL, delivered a performance for the ages against Sweden, single-handedly turning what many expected to be a blowout into a nerve-wracking goaltending masterclass. Clara's 46 saves helped Italy — a roster with zero current NHL players — hang around with Sweden for most of the game.
Under a relentless barrage from the Swedes, Clara stopped 25 shots in a frantic first period alone — a historic feat that left a star-studded Swedish roster visibly frustrated and a raucous home crowd at the Santagiulia Arena believing, if only for a few hours, in a miracle of their own.
Here's what you need to know about Clara, who took the hockey world by storm Wednesday.
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Who is Italy's goalie?
Clara is a towering 6-foot-6 goaltender who has rapidly become the face of Italian hockey. At just 21 years old, he made history in 2023 by becoming the first Italian-born and raised player ever selected in the NHL Draft, taken 60th overall by the Anaheim Ducks .
Despite his youth, Clara has extensive international experience, having debuted for Italy's senior national team at age 16 — the youngest goalie to do so in modern history. He is widely praised for his big frame and mobility, traits that were on full display during his historic game against Sweden in the 2026 Olympic opener.
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Where is Damian Clara from?
Clara was born in Brunico, Italy. The region is tucked away in the Dolomite mountains near the Austrian border.
His family owns and operates the Boutiquehotel Clara in his hometown. In interviews, he's mentioned that he still helps out at the hotel during the off-season to stay grounded.
To pursue a professional career, he left home at age 14 to join the prestigious Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria, before moving on to the Swedish leagues where he plays now.
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Who does Damian Clara play for?
Clara currently plays for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). In 30 games, he has a .888 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average (GAA).
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While he is playing overseas, Clara is a member of the Anaheim Ducks system. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim in June 2024, but the Ducks have loaned him back to the SHL for the 2025–26 season to ensure he gets consistent starts as a primary goaltender before moving to North America full-time.
After the 2026 Olympics conclude, it is widely expected that Clara will finish the Swedish season and then join the San Diego Gulls (Anaheim's AHL affiliate) for their playoff push or start his North American career there in the fall of 2026.
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Damian Clara NHL Draft
Clara made history as the first Italian-born and raised player ever selected in the NHL Entry Draft. He was taken in the second round, 60th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in 2023.
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He was drafted from Färjestad BK J20. in Sweden. He spent the 2023-24 season with Brynäs IF, where he posted a dominant 25-8-0 record and led the team to a promotion into the SHL. In June 2024, the Ducks officially signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract, though they have kept him in Europe for the 2025-26 season to prepare for the Olympics.
While other players with Italian citizenship have been drafted before, they were almost all North American-born players who naturalized. Clara is a true product of the Italian hockey system, specifically from the South Tyrol region.
MORE: Complete Olympic men's hockey schedule
When will Damian Clara play for the Ducks?
It's too far in advance to know when Clara will make his NHL debut, but he is expected to come overseas shortly after the Olympics and his European season.
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When Clara does make the transition, he will probably start in the AHL as a member of the Gulls.
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How old is Damian Clara?
Clara is 21 years old.
He first played internationally in the 2021 World Championships, where he became the youngest ever goaltender to suit up.
Before that, Clara made his professional debut at only 15 years old, playing Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria, for two years.
Did Damian Clara get injured vs. Sweden?
Clara left Italy's game against Sweden early in the third period. It came after the goaltender stopped a point-blank chance from Elias Petterson.
At the time of his exit, Clara had 40 saves. Sweden went on to score two more goals to win 5-2.
In Italy's second game, Clara served as the backup and made eight saves in Italy's 3-2 loss to Slovakia.
