Italian goaltender set to make history
An Italian goaltender is set to make history as the first Italian goaltender to sign, an ELC with the Anaheim Ducks.
When you think of Italy, you likely know that it's a soccer-crazy nation that puts the game on a pedestal like the Pope. Still, since hosting the Winter Olympics, which was held in Turin in 2006, the country has slowly become a hockey nation and is producing players like never before, which brings us news from the National Hockey League.
The Anaheim Ducks announced this week that they have signed 19-year-old Damian Clara, a native of Brunico, Italy to a National Hockey League contract. While that news is rather mundane, it marks the first time a goaltender born in Italy has achieved this milestone. Clara has played for Brynas IF in Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan. Clara skated in 34 regular season games for Brynas posting a record of 25 wins and 8 losses while holding a .912 save percentage. During Brynas most recent playoff appearance the 6'6 214lb goaltender finished with a record of 10-1 with a .931 save percentage. While representing Italy on the international stage he helped lead the team to the 2022 World Junior Championship D2A and captured bronze medals in consecutive World Championships with the senior team. Clara will suit up with Farjestad BK in the SHL for the 2024-2025 season.
This incredible achievement should not be taken lightly. For an individual to be able to sign a professional hockey contract in arguably the greatest league in the world is a feat, but to do it from a nation that is more known for producing soccer players as opposed to hockey players is simply monumental and needs to be celebrated.
While signing an ELC with an NHL club doesn't guarantee a spot on a team, it's a step in the right direction and proves that no matter where you're from, if you work hard and do everything within your power to succeed, anything is possible.
| POLL | ||
Will Damian Clara make history being the first goaltender to play in the NHL | ||
| Yes. He's earned the right | 13 | 35.1 % |
| No. This is a publicity stunt | 24 | 64.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
