Anthony Duclair Bio
Anthony Duclair is a Haitian-Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a forward for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League. Born on August 26, 1995, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada, Duclair began his professional career after the New York Rangers selected him in the third round of the 2013 NHL entry draft. Over his career spanning from 2014 to the present, Duclair has established himself as a reliable scoring threat, playing for multiple NHL franchises while making significant contributions with his offensive abilities and versatility on the ice.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Duclair was born on August 26, 1995, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, and grew up in Laval. His parents, Wendell Duclair and Dominique Raphael, are Haitian immigrants. While both his father and uncle Farell Duclair played Canadian football, with his uncle helping the Calgary Stampeders win the 86th Grey Cup in 1998, Anthony chose to pursue ice hockey instead. He was a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, and his favorite childhood hockey player was Saku Koivu.
Duclair began ice skating at the age of two and started playing organized hockey at age four. As a child, he attended schools that allowed him to finish class early in the afternoons, giving him extra time to practice his hockey skills. In 2008, he appeared in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey affiliate of the Canadiens. During his adolescent years, Duclair played for the Lac St. Louis Lions of the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League.
Path to Hockey
In 2011, the Lac St. Louis Lions won the Jimmy Ferrari Cup, and Duclair received the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the top 15-year-old prospect in the league. The Lions then advanced to the Telus Cup, where Duclair scored two goals in their bronze medal match victory over the Vancouver North West Giants. These early achievements highlighted his potential as a future professional player.
Duclair then spent three seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. During the 2013-14 season, he scored an impressive 50 goals in 59 games. His outstanding performance earned him a place on the QMJHL First All-Star Team, solidifying his reputation as one of the top prospects in Canadian junior hockey.
Anthony Duclair Career
New York Rangers (2014-2015)
Duclair signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers on January 2, 2014. He impressed head coach Alain Vigneault during the Rangers training camp, but had to wait for a roster spot to open up. General manager Glen Sather traded defenseman Steven Kampfer and forward Andrew Yogan to the Florida Panthers to create space for Duclair. He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014, playing on a line with J.T. Miller and Lee Stempniak in a 3-2 Rangers victory over the St. Louis Blues. Duclair recorded five points in his first seven NHL games, culminating in his first career goal on October 27 against the Minnesota Wild.
After recording only two points in his next nine games, the Rangers returned Duclair to the Quebec Remparts on January 5, 2015, because he was too young to play in the American Hockey League. With the Remparts, he recorded 34 points in 26 QMJHL games, including seven points in his final four games before the 2015 playoffs. He added another 26 points in 22 playoff games before the Remparts were eliminated.
Arizona Coyotes (2015-2017)
While playing with the Remparts on March 1, 2015, Duclair was traded to the Arizona Coyotes along with John Moore and two draft picks in exchange for Keith Yandle and Chris Summers. Coyotes general manager Don Maloney acquired Duclair hoping to develop line chemistry with rookie Max Domi, as the two had shown visible chemistry during the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship while leading Canada to a gold medal.
On October 14, 2015, Duclair scored his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4-0 shutout victory against the Anaheim Ducks. He and Domi developed instant line chemistry that season, earning them the nickname “The Killer D’s.” However, Duclair struggled with consistency in the following seasons. On January 19, 2017, he was demoted to the Coyotes AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, due to a lack of production. He returned to the NHL roster on March 3, 2017.
Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets (2017-2019)
On January 4, 2018, Duclair requested a trade from the Coyotes. Eight days later, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Richard Pánik and Laurent Dauphin. Duclair made an initial impact with the Blackhawks but finished the season scoreless in his final 14 games, recording eight points in 23 games. The Blackhawks did not tender him a qualifying offer on June 25, 2018, making him a free agent.
Duclair signed a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 5, 2018. In 53 games during the 2018-19 season, he recorded 11 goals and 19 points. On February 23, 2019, the Blue Jackets traded Duclair to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Ryan Dzingel. Only days before the trade, Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella publicly criticized Duclair.
Ottawa Senators (2019-2021)
Duclair signed a one-year contract worth $1.65 million with the Senators for the 2019-20 season on June 17, 2019. He immediately became one of Ottawa’s top offensive players, recording 21 goals and 30 points in his first 38 games, leading the team in both categories. His strong performance earned him selection as the Senators representative for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game held in St. Louis. On June 8, 2020, Duclair became an inaugural executive board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an organization dedicated to addressing intolerance and racism in hockey.
Following the 2019-20 season, Duclair fired his agent and handled contract negotiations himself, contrary to advice from general manager Pierre Dorion. The two sides could not reach an agreement, and the Senators declined to offer him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
Florida Panthers (2020-2023)
On December 17, 2020, Duclair signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Florida Panthers. He signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension with the Panthers on July 15, 2021. During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Duclair recorded four goals and seven assists, helping the Panthers reach their first Stanley Cup Finals in 27 years. His playoff contributions demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
San Jose Sharks (2023-2024)
On July 1, 2023, the Panthers traded Duclair to the San Jose Sharks due to salary cap considerations. The Panthers received Steven Lorentz and a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NHL draft in exchange. Duclair joined a Sharks team in a transition period as they continued rebuilding their roster around younger talent.
Tampa Bay Lightning (2024)
On March 7, 2024, the Sharks traded Duclair to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round draft pick. He scored his first goal as a Lightning player in his debut game on March 9 against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs but lost in the first round to Duclair’s former team, the Florida Panthers.
New York Islanders (2024-Present)
On July 1, 2024, Duclair signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the New York Islanders. He joined the organization that originally drafted him in 2013, completing a journey that began over a decade earlier. The contract represents a significant commitment from the Islanders to Duclair’s scoring abilities and veteran experience. Duclair brings speed, scoring touch, and playoff experience to the Islanders lineup as they aim to return to championship contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
Duclair is known for his speed, quick hands, and ability to create scoring opportunities. His offensive instincts allow him to find open space and finish plays around the net. As a left-handed shooter playing the forward position, he brings versatility to his lines and can contribute in various offensive situations. His ability to develop chemistry with linemates has been a notable strength throughout his career, as demonstrated by his successful partnerships with players like Max Domi in Arizona.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duclair’s career has included several notable milestones. His first career NHL hat-trick against the Anaheim Ducks in October 2015 showcased his scoring potential at the highest level. His participation in the 2020 NHL All-Star Game recognized his status as one of the league’s top players during that season. His contributions helped the Florida Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 27 years during the 2023 playoffs. Most recently, he scored a hat trick against the New Jersey Devils on January 6, 2026, in a 9-0 Islanders victory, marking his first hat trick since his time with the Senators in 2019.
Anthony Duclair Career Wins
Throughout his NHL career, Duclair has accumulated significant achievements across multiple organizations. His versatility has allowed him to contribute to various teams in different situations, from scoring depth roles to top-six forward responsibilities. His playoff experience includes a Stanley Cup Finals appearance with the Florida Panthers in 2023.
Major Milestones
Duclair achieved his first career NHL goal on October 27, 2014, with the New York Rangers, scoring a dramatic game-tying goal against the Minnesota Wild in the third period. His first career hat-trick came on October 14, 2015, with the Arizona Coyotes in a shutout victory over the Anaheim Ducks. He represented Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, earning a gold medal as part of a dominant team. He was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2020 while playing for the Ottawa Senators. His most recent milestone was scoring a hat trick against the New Jersey Devils on January 6, 2026, with the New York Islanders.
Other Achievements
Before his NHL career, Duclair won the Jimmy Ferrari Cup in 2011 with the Lac St. Louis Lions and earned the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the top 15-year-old prospect in the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League. He was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team during his tenure with the Quebec Remparts in 2014. His international success includes the gold medal at the 2015 World Junior Championship with Team Canada.
Anthony Duclair Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Anthony Duclair comes from an athletic family with roots in Haitian culture. His father, Wendell Duclair, and mother, Dominique Raphael, are Haitian immigrants who raised their family in Laval, Quebec. While Anthony pursued ice hockey, his family legacy includes Canadian football success. His father, Wendell, and uncle, Farell Duclair, both played the sport professionally. Farell Duclair was particularly accomplished, helping the Calgary Stampeders win the 86th Grey Cup in 1998, which is Canada’s premier Canadian football championship.
Personal Life
Duclair has maintained strong connections to his Haitian heritage throughout his career. His role as an inaugural executive board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance reflects his commitment to promoting inclusion in hockey and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the sport. This involvement demonstrates his dedication to giving back and advocating for diversity in professional athletics.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NHL season represents a significant chapter in Anthony Duclair’s career as he continues his tenure with the New York Islanders. After signing his four-year contract extension in July 2024, Duclair has established himself as a consistent offensive contributor for the organization. His veteran experience brings stability to the Islanders forward group as the team works toward playoff contention in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Duclair’s scoring abilities have remained a valuable asset for the Islanders throughout the 2025 campaign. His speed and playmaking skills complement the team’s offensive strategies while his ability to finish plays provides secondary scoring depth. The combination of his experience from previous organizations and his familiarity with the Islanders system has allowed him to make meaningful contributions night after night.
The trajectory of Duclair’s career reflects his resilience and adaptability across multiple NHL organizations. From his early days with the Rangers to his current role with the Islanders, he has demonstrated the ability to contribute in various situations and line combinations. His continued performance in 2025 underscores his value as a reliable professional who can impact games through his offensive instincts and competitive approach.