Damian Clara, did you become rich overnight?

Damian Clara can look back on a turbulent 12 months. A year ago, the 19-year-old from Reischach was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2nd round of the NHL Draft as the 60th player overall. The 1,99-meter giant spent the season in Sweden and led Brynäs IF to win the Allsvenskan with strong performances and promotion to the Svenska Hockeyligan (SHL). On June 3, the Italian national goalkeeper signed a three-year contract (entry-level contract) with Anaheim. In the following interview, Clara reveals what this means for him, who he will tackle the coming season with and what his future will look like.

At the beginning of June you signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. How happy were you about that?

Damian Clara: I was very happy about it because it was confirmation for me that the Ducks still trust in me. However, signing the contract was just a formality and doesn't change much. After all, my contract with Färjestad in Sweden continues, although Anaheim can actively participate in the decision. This means that a Ducks development coach will visit Karlovy Vary from time to time.

According to NHL statutes, the annual salary is 870.000 US dollars (around 800.000 euros). In addition, there is a "bonus" for signing the contract ("signing bonus") of 95.000 US dollars (around 87.000 euros). So you got rich overnight...

That would be nice. I will only receive the majority of this money once I am one of Anaheim's two regular goalkeepers and appear on the referee sheet of an NHL game for the first time. However, I am entitled to the bonus for signing the contract and will be paid out to me over the next four years, although only a portion of the amount will remain after tax deductions.

What do you think the chances are that you will be on NHL ice in the foreseeable future?

I can't answer that question at the moment. Anaheim currently has 8 goalies under contract. A lot can change before I'm ready for the farm team league. 3 to 4 years is the minimum until a goalie my age is ready for the NHL. There are many players who got an NHL contract but never played in the NHL. For example, at Brynäs, most of the players had an NHL contract, but only 4 of them actually played there.

Damian Clara during dry training.

You still have a contract with Färjestad. Will you tackle the coming season with the traditional Swedish club that has won 10 championship titles?

Yes. My rookie contract in Sweden runs until spring 2025. Among other things, this means that I am responsible for Europe together with my agent, which means we can negotiate the contracts in Europe. A rookie contract in Sweden is not particularly well-paid. I also have to cover my own costs such as accommodation, car and food. Nevertheless, I am happy that I am part of this super organization of Färjestad BK. I want to take the next step here and assert myself in the SHL. My development is the priority. I am not stressed.

You've been sweating for weeks for the coming winter. How satisfied are you with the preparation so far?

The past few weeks have been very stressful for me, combined with school. I tried to make the best of it. After the World Championships in Bolzano, I only took a week off from ice hockey before I started dry training again. I trained 5 times a week with Renè Baur in Reischach and also went on several long bike rides. Last week I was in Karlovy Vary, where a team building trip was on the agenda. A total of 18 players took part. The main focus was getting to know each other. I also chose the apartment.

What is planned for the coming weeks?

First I want to finish high school with my Matura. On June 30th I will fly to Anaheim, where a development camp is scheduled. On July 8th I will return to South Tyrol and continue off-ice training with Renè Baur, who I really enjoy working with. I also want to go back on the ice somewhere in the country for the first time. On August 1st, preparations for the season that starts on September 21st will begin in Färjestad. I will only fly to Karlovy Vary at the last minute because I want to enjoy my time at home until the end.

Last season you won the All-svenskan with Brynäs IF. What is possible with Färjestad BK in the higher league?

The expectations at Färjestad have always been very high. The pressure is correspondingly high. The team is always at the top. This was also the case last winter, when it won the regular season with a 5-point lead over Växjö, only to be knocked out of the quarter-finals by ninth-placed Rögle. The team has remained almost unchanged from last season. The competition in the league is fierce. The level is also high. The teams at the top are very close together. In addition to Färjestad, 5 other teams are well positioned. I hope we can be at the top again.

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Damian Clara, did you become rich overnight?

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