Damian Clara: From Sweden to the USA?

The season for South Tyrol's best ice hockey export is over – at least the one in Sweden. Damian Clara and his team, Brynäs, were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Now, another assignment could await him before the World Championship.

April 03, 2026

From: fop

Brynäs, who qualified directly for the playoffs as sixth in the standings, were defeated in the first round by third-placed Växjö. On Wednesday evening, the favorites prevailed 2-1, thus winning the series decisively 4-1.

For Clara, this marks the end of an eventful and not always easy season in the Swedish top league. He was on loan from the NHL club Anaheim Ducks to his former team Brynäs and faced stiff competition there: Collin Delia and the long-injured Erik Källgren, both with NHL experience, were vying for playing time.

Most appearances among the goalies

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old from Reischach held his own for long stretches. With 36 games played, he accumulated the most minutes among the three goalies, stopped 88,62 percent of shots, and recorded two shutouts. He also saw action twice in the quarterfinals – including in his team's only victory.

Damian Clara will travel with Italy to the World Cup in May. © APA/afp / JULIEN DE ROSA

However, his strongest performances at the Milan Olympics will remain the biggest highlight of his season. Now his focus is fully back on the national team: In May, Clara will compete with Italy at the World Championships in Switzerland – most likely as the number one goalkeeper.

World Cup as season finale

Before that, however, Clara could face a longer overseas journey. It's quite possible that his home club, Anaheim, will use his early exit in Sweden as an opportunity to bring him to the USA. The player from Puster Valley could – as he did last year – be "parked" with the affiliate club, the San Diego Gulls, for the remainder of the season. He has already played two games for them in the AHL, the NHL's feeder league.

Although San Diego has one of the league's best goalies between the posts in Calle Clang (23 years old, Sweden), Clara could still gain important experience in California – before returning to the big stage with the Blue Team.

Keywords hockey Brynäs IF Damian Clara