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The Anaheim Ducks could have their next star goalie in Damian Clara, who nearly single-handedly pulled off a stunning upset.
The Anaheim Ducks have a star goaltender in Lukas Dostal. The 25-year-old will be part of Team Czechia at the Olympics. But the Ducks could have another star goalie at the Olympics. That goalie would be 21-year-old Damian Clara of Team Italy.
The host team opted to go with a full Italian squad instead of allowing heritage NHLers to represent the country. The move was a nod to the Italian team members who have been part of the process leading up to the Milano-Cortina Games.
That group of players included Damian Clara. Clara was sensational in his outing against Team Sweden on Wednesday. He nearly pulled off an upset of the Swedish side. He stopped 43 shots amid the onslaught from the Swedish side. Unfortunately, the Ducks’ rising star left the game with an injury in the third period.
He was evidently in pain following a brilliant save on Elias Pettersson. That save kept the game close at 3-2. It breathed life into the Italian side that ended up being outshot 60-22, and only gave up four goals (Sweden added an empty-netter).
While the extent of Clara’s injury is unclear, the Italian netminder has gotten a great deal of attention from fans around the league. If his name wasn’t a household commodity, it could very well be soon.
Ducks Have a Gem in Damian Clara
Clara was the Anaheim Ducks’ second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The club picked him 60th overall after a solid showing at the World Juniors. Since graduating from the Junior level, he’s played in various leagues in Europe, including Sweden and Finland.
The massive 6’6” netminder, who Elite Prospects describes as very smart and sets his feet quickly, has also earned looks in North America.
Last season, Damian Clara appeared in two games for the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He posted a 3.15 GAA and an .898 SV%.
Assuming that Clara gets another look at the Olympics, he should cement his standing as a solid goaltending prospect for the Ducks. He could be ready to become a permanent fixture in Anaheim as soon as next season.
Clara Earmarked as Dostal’s Backup
The Ducks could have Damian Clara in their sights as Dostal’s backup. The club currently has veteran Ville Husso backing up Dostal. And while Husso has one more year left on his current deal, Clara could be the heir-apparent to the backup role in Anaheim.
It would make sense for the Ducks to even consider a tandem between Dostal and Clara. Considering how punishing a full NHL season can be on goalies, rolling with a tandem wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Dostal would likely get the lion’s share of starts. But seeing Clara on Wednesday suggests he could be the sort of goalie who could get 20 to 30 starts per season.
The likeliest path for Clara in the Ducks’ organization is hitting the AHL next season. He’s among four solid goalie prospects in Anaheim’s system. But Damian Clara’s showing at the Olympics against the powerhouse Swedes might be enough to push him to the top of the organization’s depth chart.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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