In the heart of Milan, Italy's towering goaltender, Damian Clara, is making waves at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Standing at 6-foot-6, Clara is not just filling the net; he's redefining Italy's presence on the global hockey stage.
At just 21, Clara is carving out a path not only for himself in the NHL but also for Italian hockey. Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks at 18, he became the first Italian player to be selected in the NHL draft, marking a historic moment for both him and his nation.
Reflecting on his journey, Clara shared, “Being a hockey goalie is special. I think about the Olympics every day.” His ascent to Olympic ice has been a testament to years of hard work and dedication.
Italian national team forward Dan Catenacci praised Clara's work ethic, saying, “He works his ass off. He’s such a young goalie, and his commitment at the rink is impressive. The sky’s the limit for him.”
Clara's journey began when he left his hometown of Brunico at 14 to join the Red Bull Hockey Academy in Austria. By 16, he was already making history as the youngest goaltender to play for Italy’s senior national team.
Before arriving in Milan, Clara honed his skills with Brynas IF, a top European professional league. This season, he recorded 645 saves with a 2.49 goals-against average and two shutouts in 30 games. His final pre-Olympic stretch saw him post a .901 save percentage, stopping 155 shots over five games.
On the Olympic stage, Clara faced some of the NHL's best, including Jesper Bratt and Sebastian Aho, stopping 133 of 146 shots in four games. His performance outshone notable NHL counterparts, a testament to his skill under pressure.
Despite the NHL's previous absence from the Olympics due to disputes, this year marked the return of its stars, making Clara's achievements even more significant. In a gripping match against Sweden, he made 46 saves before an injury took him out of the game.
In Italy's final Olympic match against Switzerland, Clara tallied 48 saves, the fifth-most in a single Olympic game with NHL players, although Italy's run ended with a 3-0 loss.
Some critics might focus on his 5.13 goals-against average, but for those who watched, Clara's ability to keep Italy competitive was clear. His size, athleticism, and composure under relentless pressure stood out, offering a beacon of hope for Italian hockey.
Clara's unique combination of size and agility allows him to challenge the NHL's elite scorers. His technical prowess and ability to handle Olympic-level pressure have fast-tracked his potential rise to the NHL.
Currently, the Ducks have another Olympic goaltender, Lukas Dostal, in their ranks. Clara, after signing a three-year deal with Anaheim, has been gaining experience in the SHL, preparing for a future with the Ducks' AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.
Clara's Olympic performance not only highlights his potential but also signals a promising future for both Italy and the Anaheim Ducks, who are eager to end their Stanley Cup drought. If Clara's development continues on this trajectory, he could very well become the cornerstone the Ducks need.