TAMPA, Fla. — Anthony Duclair has greatly impacted the Lightning since being traded to Tampa Bay on March 7. He recorded, at least, one point in his first seven games with the club, setting a record for the longest point streak to start a tenure with the Bolts.
"I'm just trying to bring my experience...try to amplify this forward group [and] try to fit in as much as I can," he said after the team's practice on Wednesday morning.
As well as Duclair fits in with his new team, he naturally stands out whenever he's on the ice. He is the only Black player on the current Lightning roster. It's something he grew accustomed to while playing youth hockey. Unfortunately, he encountered prejudiced behavior during that time, being referred to as racial slurs.
"It's one of those things where you're usually the only Black player on the team or Black player on both teams, and it's a little tough to digest," he said. "You have to grow up really fast and mature really quick, and that's just the way of life."
It's a life Duclair doesn't want for the current minority players in youth hockey. So, he's working to make the sport more inclusive, teaming with the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund to construct the 100-by-50-foot rink in Lauderdale Lakes—a predominately Black neighborhood in South Florida. The rink will be made of synthetic ice and is about 12 miles from Amerant Bank Arena, the home of the Florida Panthers whom Duclair played for from 2020-2023.
"Hopefully, they can use that rink and get [into] the game. I'm just trying to introduce the game to different ethnicities and different backgrounds," he said.
Duclair will also host youth camps in Florida, California and Canada this summer. He hopes the impact these efforts will be greater than the one he's had on the Lightning since joining the team.
Tampa Bay hosts the New York Islanders on Saturday at 7 p.m. inside Amalie Arena.