Damian Clara: “It was something special”

The Brynäs IF team began its preparations for the SHL season, which begins on September 13th (home game against Växjö), yesterday under confirmed head coach Niklas Gällstedt. Also on the ice at the Monitor ERP Arena was Damian Clara, one of three goalies for the reigning runner-up, alongside NHL veteran Collin Delia (31) and Swedish national goalkeeper Erik Källgren (28), who will not be available until the new year due to injury.

The Pustertal native played a key role in Brynäs's promotion to the SHL with strong performances in the 2023/24 season. He was the youngest goaltender to win 25 regular season games in Sweden's second division and the first foreign player to be awarded the "Guldgallret" award as the best junior player in the Allsvenskan. Previously, this honor had been bestowed on Swedish players 14 times. In the following interview, Clara reflects on the past season, discusses his return to Brynäs, and his goals for the upcoming season.

Your return to Brynäs was official on Saturday. Yesterday, you were on the ice with your new teammates for the first time. How did you spend the time in between?

Damian Clara: I enjoyed the last few free hours before the start of training and recharged my batteries on the beach in Sweden. I've been excited for days that things are finally starting again.

Why did you choose Brynäs? Did you also receive offers from other clubs?

Clara: Brynäs expressed interest very early on. As soon as I heard that returning to Gävle could be an option, I didn't think about anything else. Brynäs was my top priority—I absolutely wanted to return here because I feel very comfortable here.

How did it feel when you returned to your old cabin for the first time on Monday morning?

Clara: It was certainly something special. I saw a lot of familiar faces. I knew most of the players. I was especially pleased to see Nicklas Bäckström. The 37-year-old, who has played more than 1000 NHL games and is considered one of the most famous and best Swedish players of all time, was introduced at the start of training as the latest new signing. But a lot has also changed in terms of infrastructure in recent months. For example, the Monitor ERP Arena has the largest video cube in all of Europe. The weight room and training hall have also been modernized.

You'll be reunited with head coach Niklas Gällstedt and goalkeeper coach Anthon Hansson. After all, both were on the coaching staff during the promotion season. How much are you looking forward to working together again, and how much did they contribute to your strong performances back then?

Clara: Both are first-class trainers. Their success clearly speaks for itself. They're both technically competent and humanly competent. You can talk to them about anything, and they respect each other's opinions. They've helped me a lot in my development.

Things didn't go as planned for you in the 2024/25 season. What do you want to improve next winter?

Clara: The many ups and downs, as well as the three different teams in three different countries, weren't ideal. Nevertheless, I believe I'm a better goalie now. I've made the biggest progress mentally. While it may be true that the results and statistics weren't always good, I'm still a bit better prepared. Next winter, I want to bring more routine, consistency, and consistency to my work and positive competition to the ice. I want to play as many games as possible. But to do that, I have to prove myself in training and in games. I want to take the next step and know where I need to improve. I still have a long way to go.

What did you do after the World Cup in Romania?

Clara: First, I switched off at home for three weeks. Then I spent a week on vacation in Sicily. After that, I started preseason training in Bruneck with Renè Baur and some players from HC Pustertal. I also went to Sweden for summer training. There, I was able to get on the ice with a training group. I spent a week in Irvine, USA, where I participated in the Anaheim Ducks' development camp with 30 other prospects.

You're one of seven goalies on the Anaheim Ducks. How far away is the NHL right now?

Clara: That's difficult to say. Goalies tend to take longer to reach NHL maturity. At the end of last season, I and the Ducks management came to the conclusion that it would be better for my development if I stayed in Europe, assuming we could find a suitable place. There's really no timeline on the road to the NHL. The dream may never come true, or it can happen very quickly. I recently experienced that firsthand. With the San Diego Gulls, there were three goalies ahead of me before I made my AHL debut overnight.

You recently trained in Bruneck. What did you tell the HC Pustertal players about the new US signing Austin Rueschhoff, whom you met at Kärpat Oulu?

Rueschhoff contacted me and asked me about the town, the surrounding area, and the club. Several Pustertal players also asked me about the new signing, and I told them nothing but good things about him. He's a very tall player—about the same height as me. He's solidly built, covers a lot of ground, and has an extremely long stick with which he has a great reach. Austin is very strong with his stick and in front of the goal. I'm convinced he can help the HCP.

Damian Clara is ready to attack again. © Instagram brynas__if / JENS CARLSSON

Back to Brynäs: What do you know about your two goalkeeper colleagues Collin Delia and Erik Källgren?

Clara: Both are very good goalies who have already played in the NHL. They are technically very well-trained and also very good people. That's why I'm looking forward to working with them, as I can learn a lot from them. Because Källgren will be out for some time due to hip surgery, Delia and I will play the majority of the games this season.

What do you think about the Brynäs team?

Clara: It's a well-rehearsed team, as many players from last season are still on the roster. The team has a lot of experience. 13 players have already played in the NHL. It's a good group with great chemistry. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season.

What are your goals with Brynäs for the coming season?

Clara: The goals are very clear. The club wants to improve and has set the bar very high. After finishing runner-up this spring, there's only room for improvement. The goal, in any case, is to be among the top teams again.

The first two official games are scheduled for the end of August. Brynäs will then play twice in the Czech Republic against Kometa Brno and Mountfield HK in the Champions Hockey League. How excited are you for the "premier league"?

Clara: I already played two games in the Champions Hockey League with Färjestad last season. It's a great competition that brings variety to the league routine. You get to compete against new opponents and encounter new playing cultures and fan groups. The Champions Hockey League is an ideal way to start the season. After the trip to the Czech Republic, I'm already looking forward to the two home games against defending champions ZSC Lions and Klagenfurter AC. I already played against KAC last season and celebrated a 6-2 victory.

The Olympic Games in Milan are scheduled for February. You are one of six players already nominated for the major event.

Clara: I didn't even know such a thing existed. I got the call telling me I was one of Italy's top six players and had been selected for the Olympic team. This is a special honor for me, and I'm grateful for the trust the coaches have placed in me.

How important are the Olympic Games to you? Clara: It's special, as participating in the Olympic Games is probably only possible once in a lifetime. I see the Games as a great opportunity for Italian ice hockey. We're underdogs in every game, but we have nothing to lose.

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Damian Clara: “It was something special”

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