Damian Clara - NHL News & Rumors | FOX Sports

Overwhelmed again Tuesday Clara made 48 saves in Italy's 3-0 loss to Switzerland during Olympic qualifying round play Tuesday.

Impact The tournament's busiest netminder once again stood on his head and kept a game closer than it had any right to be, with two of the pucks that got past Clara coming on Swiss power plays. The Ducks prospect, a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, turned heads with his performance at the Olympics, but with Italy now eliminated Clara will return to Brynas IF in the Swedish Hockey League to finish up his season.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to face Switzerland Clara is expected to start for Team Italy against Switzerland in Tuesday's qualification game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Impact Clara is gearing up for his fourth appearance of the tournament. Although he has a 6.51 GAA and an .895 save percentage in the 2026 Winter Games, Italy entered this tournament as a heavy underdog. Clara will once again have his work cut out for him versus Switzerland, but if Italy can pull off the upset, then the host nation will advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals match against Finland.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday versus Finland Clara will defend the Italian crease versus Finland on Saturday at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Impact Clara was outstanding versus Sweden on Wednesday, stopping 46 of 49 shots, before he was forced to leave the game after suffering a leg injury. He was well enough to be the backup netminder Friday to Davide Fadani on Friday and saw action over the last 10 minutes, stopping seven of eight shots in a 3-2 loss to Slovakia.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in relief Friday Clara turned aside seven of eight shots Friday after replacing Davide Fadani midway through the third period, getting stuck with the loss as Italy fell 3-2 to Slovakia in Olympic r...

Impact Clara started Italy's tournament opener Wednesday and stood on his head to keep the game close again Sweden, but he suffered a leg injury late and was replaced by Fadani. This time around, the switch was made in reverse as Italy tried to spark a comeback from a 2-1 deficit, but instead Clara allowed the game-winning goal to Adam Ruzicka. Clara is expected to be between the pipes Saturday against Finland.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Backing up Friday Clara (leg) has recovered enough to be the backup goaltender Friday versus Slovakia, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact Clara was outstanding Wednesday before suffering the injury, turning aside 46 of 49 shots, leaving the game trailing Sweden 3-2. He should be well enough to return to the cage Saturday versus Finland. Davide Fadani will get the start Friday for Italy, in place of Clara.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains leg injury Clara exited Italy's Olympic game against Sweden on Wednesday because of a right leg injury, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Impact Clara was doing a fantastic job before being forced to leave midway through the third period. He had turned aside 46 shots, and while Italy was still down 3-2 to Sweden at the time of his exit, that's a far closer score than many would have projected going into the game. Backup netminder Davide Fadani took over between the pipes. It remains to be seen if Clara will be an option Friday versus Slovakia.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Sweden Clara will draw the start for Italy against Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, Kyle Cushman of theScore reports.

Impact Clara appeared in a pair of games for AHL San Diego last year but has played for Brynas IF in Sweden this year, going 16-13-0 with a 2.49 GAA and .888 save percentage over 30 appearances. He'll face a tough test during Wednesday's tournament opener against Sweden, a club that features plenty of NHL talent.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Loaned to Swedish club Clara was loaned to Brynas IF of the SHL on Friday, Patrick Present of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Clara was unlikely to get ice time with AHL San Diego in 2025-26, so this move will allow him to get more starts as he continues his development. The 20-year-old goalie has been developing in Europe for the last couple of seasons, seeing time in both the SHL and Finland's Liiga, but he'll have to wait for some movement in the Ducks' goalie pipeline before coming to North America on a full-time basis.

JULY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs entry-level contract Clara signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim on Monday.

Impact During the 2023-24 campaign, Clara posted a 25-8-0 record with a 2.23 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 34 regular-season appearances for Brynas IF of Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan. He also posted a mark of 10-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and a .931 save percentage in the postseason to promote Brynas to the SHL for 2024-25. Clara will probably return to Sweden next season. The Ducks selected the 19-year-old netminder with the No. 60 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

JUNE 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE