Ducks Goalie Prospect Damian Clara Leaves Swedish Team – Headed To AHL?
Italian goaltender Damian Clara, 20, has parted company with Färjestad BK at the behest of the Anaheim Ducks, who own his NHL rights, the SHL club announced on Friday. Clara signed an entry-level contract with Anaheim and had been playing this season on loan to the Swedish club. The move comes one day before the international transfer deadline.
The 6-foot-6, 214-pound Clara was the backup goaltender in Färjestad behind Canadian Maxime Lagacé. In 21 SHL games this season, his numbers are disappointing – a goals-against average of 3.19, a save percentage of .879 and one shutout – for the second-place club.
He also had a 3.00 average and .878 percentage in two Champions Hockey League games. Färjestad will play in the CHL final this Tuesday against the ZSC Lions in Zurich, Switzerland.
Färjestad’s crease got a little more crowded last week with the signing of veteran Anders Lindbäck – ironically the goalie Clara usurped as the starter for Brynäs last season – which possibly signalled a lack of faith in the young netminder and less playing time.
“It’s sad that things didn’t go as expected, but I’ve been able to learn a lot during the season,” said Clara. “There’s a fantastic group in the locker room and I wish the guys all the best. I also want to say thank you to Färjestad BK as an organization. They gave me the chance when I came from Austria. I’ve enjoyed myself here and gained a lot of good experience.”
Originally from Brunico, Italy, Clara has played abroad since he was 15 – first it was two seasons at the Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria, and then to Sweden, where he joined Färjestad, playing for the club’s under-20 team.
Clara was Anaheim’s second-round pick, 60th overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He then played the 2023-24 season on loan to Brynäs of the HockeyAllsvenskan. As a 19-year-old, Clara had a spectacular season in the Swedish second-tier league, particularly in the playoffs when he posted a 1.68 goals-against average in 11 games, helping Brynäs return to the SHL.
“I really liked it there,” Clara said about Brynäs and the city of Gävle during last year’s IIHF World Championship Division I Group A, while playing for Italy. “They’re adding a lot of good players but I’m not going to continue in Brynäs, probably. I’m going to continue with Färjestad.”
“We would like to thank Damian for his time with us,” said Färjestad GM Rickard Wallin. “From the time he joined our junior team until now, he has been a valued person in the club who has worked hard to become a good goaltender and has taken great steps in the meantime.
“We have now been informed that Anaheim, who owns Damian’s rights, believes that this is best for his development as he has not achieved the results that we and they had hoped for during the year and we wish him good luck in his ongoing career.”
The move by Anaheim comes amid rumors that John Gibson will soon be traded. That could potentially mean Calle Clang moving up to the Ducks and a spot on the San Diego Gulls AHL roster opening up for Clara.
If Clara moves elsewhere in Europe, there are rumors that Finland, in particular Lukko, could be a destination. Wherever he goes, it has to get done quickly – the international transfer deadline is Feb. 15 at 23:59 Central European Time (5:59 pm ET, 2:59 pm PT).