Anthony Duclair Bio
Anthony Duclair is a Haitian–Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. Born on August 26, 1995, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Duclair came into the league as a third-round selection of the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL entry draft. Across a professional career that began in 2014, he has suited up for numerous franchises, including the Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Known for his speed, finishing ability, and offensive instincts, he has developed into a reliable top-six winger.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Duclair was born on August 26, 1995, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, and was raised in nearby Laval by Haitian immigrants Wendell Duclair and Dominique Raphael. While both his father and his uncle, Farell Duclair, played Canadian football, with Farell helping the Calgary Stampeders win the 86th Grey Cup in 1998, Anthony instead gravitated toward hockey. A devoted fan of the Montreal Canadiens, his favorite childhood player was Saku Koivu.
Duclair began ice skating at the age of two and started playing hockey two years later. Because his schools finished classes early in the afternoon, he had extra time each day to practice his game. In 2008, he and Frédérik Gauthier appeared in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey affiliate of the Canadiens. As an adolescent, he played for the Lac St. Louis Lions of the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League. In 2011, the Lions captured the Jimmy Ferrari Cup, and Duclair received the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the top 15-year-old prospect in the league. The Lions then reached the Telus Cup, where he scored two goals in a bronze-medal victory over the Vancouver North West Giants.
Path to Hockey
Duclair spent three seasons with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where his game blossomed. During the 2013–14 season, he scored 50 goals in 59 games and was rewarded for his outstanding play with a selection to the QMJHL First All-Star Team. That production helped push him up NHL draft boards, and on draft day the New York Rangers selected him in the third round, 80th overall.
He signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers on January 2, 2014, and made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014, skating alongside J. T. Miller and Lee Stempniak in a 3–2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. After a brief stint with the Rangers, he was returned to junior, and on March 1, 2015, while still with the Remparts, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes as part of the Keith Yandle deal.
Anthony Duclair Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Duclair began his NHL career with the New York Rangers, where he recorded five points in his first seven games, including his first goal on October 27, 2014. He tied the game against the Minnesota Wild with just under four minutes remaining, helping the Rangers rally from a 3–0 deficit. The Rangers later sent him back to the Quebec Remparts, where he produced 34 points in 26 regular-season games and added 26 points in 22 playoff contests before being dealt to Arizona.
The Coyotes acquired Duclair hoping to pair him with fellow rookie Max Domi, with whom he had built chemistry while leading Canada to gold at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.
Arizona Coyotes Breakthrough (2015–2017)
On October 14, 2015, Duclair scored his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4–0 shutout win against the Anaheim Ducks, with Max Domi also factoring on the scoresheet. The two developed instant line chemistry, earning the nickname “The Killer D’s” around the league. In his first full NHL season, Duclair became one of the Coyotes’ most dangerous young wingers.
His production dipped during the following campaign, and on January 19, 2017, he was assigned to the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. He returned to the NHL on March 3, 2017, but inconsistent play persisted, and on January 4, 2018, it was reported that he had requested a trade.
Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets (2018–2019)
On January 10, 2018, Duclair was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks along with defenseman Adam Clendening in exchange for Richard Pánik and Laurent Dauphin. He made an early impression in Chicago but finished his time there scoreless over his last 14 games, totaling 8 points in 23 appearances. The Blackhawks declined to tender him a qualifying offer that summer.
On July 5, 2018, he signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $650,000 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He posted 11 goals and 19 points in 53 games for Columbus before being traded to the Ottawa Senators on February 23, 2019.
Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers (2019–2023)
Duclair signed a one-year, $1.65 million deal with Ottawa and quickly became one of the Senators’ top offensive players, registering 21 goals and 30 points in his first 38 games and leading the team in both categories. He was named the Senators’ representative for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis.
After a brief stint in free agency, he signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Florida Panthers on December 17, 2020, and later inked a three-year, $9 million extension. He tallied four goals and seven assists during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, helping the Panthers reach their first Stanley Cup Finals in 27 years.
New York Islanders Era (2024–Present)
After stints with the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning, Duclair signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the New York Islanders on July 1, 2024. He joined an Islanders club looking to add scoring depth and veteran playoff experience to its forward group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Duclair is recognized for his elite speed, smooth skating, and ability to create offense in transition. He pairs quick hands with a strong shot, making him especially dangerous on odd-man rushes and the power play. When his game is on, his ability to win races to pucks and attack off the rush has made him a constant scoring threat at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duclair’s first NHL hat-trick came against the Anaheim Ducks in October 2015, and he was later selected to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game as Ottawa’s representative. He also helped the Florida Panthers reach the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals, the franchise’s first appearance in 27 years.
Anthony Duclair Career Wins
Anthony Duclair has built a steady NHL resume across multiple organizations, combining offensive production with top-six responsibility. His hat-trick against Anaheim stands as one of his most memorable individual performances, and his playoff run with Florida highlighted his value in high-stakes hockey.
NHL Highlights
Duclair’s most memorable NHL moments include his hat-trick against the Anaheim Ducks on October 14, 2015, and his 2020 All-Star selection with Ottawa. He also played a key role in the Florida Panthers’ run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals.
Junior and International Highlights
In junior hockey, Duclair posted 50 goals in 59 games for the Quebec Remparts in 2013–14, earning QMJHL First All-Star Team honors. He also won gold with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship alongside linemate Max Domi.
Anthony Duclair Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Anthony Duclair was raised by Haitian immigrants Wendell Duclair and Dominique Raphael in Laval, Quebec. His uncle, Farell Duclair, is a former Canadian football player who helped the Calgary Stampeders win the 86th Grey Cup in 1998. While the family carried an athletic tradition, Anthony chose hockey over football.
Personal Life
Duclair keeps much of his personal life private, and he has not publicly shared details of a spouse or children. He was raised in a close-knit Haitian household that has remained an important part of his support system throughout his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Anthony Duclair is in the early stages of a four-year, $14 million contract with the New York Islanders. The Islanders added him to bolster their scoring depth and provide playoff-tested experience on the wing. Expectations are that he will play a prominent role on one of the top two lines and contribute on the power play.
His speed and ability to generate offense in transition should give the Islanders another option alongside their core forwards. If he can stay healthy and produce at his previous top-six pace, Duclair is well positioned to be a difference-maker in the lineup.
With a multi-year commitment from New York, 2025 represents an important season for Duclair to establish himself as a long-term fixture in the Islanders’ forward group and help the franchise push back into playoff contention.