Ducks sign goalie Damian Clara to three-year, entry-level contract

June 03, 2024 - 1:51pm

The Anaheim Ducks logo, seen at the Arrowhead Pond, in Anaheim, Calif. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)

The Anaheim Ducks have signed goaltender Damian Clara to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.

Selected by Anaheim in the second round (60th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Clara became the first-ever player from Italy to be drafted by an NHL team.

Clara helped Italy to a bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship Division I, Group B tournament, going 3-1-0 with a 1.25 goals-against average and .954 save percentage. He was named the tournament's best goaltender and top player on the team.

Clara, 19, was named the top junior player in the HockeyAllsvenskan in 2023-24 (Sweden’s second division) and became the first non-Swedish player to earn the Guldgallret award (Golden Grid), while also leading Brynas to promotion to the Swedish Hockey League.

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