NHL, NHLPA, Islanders’ Anthony Duclair unveil synthetic rink in South Florida
A unique facility has been introduced to make hockey more inclusive in the Sunshine State.
On Wednesday, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair and the NHL and NHL Players’ Association opened a new synthetic rink at Boyd H. Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida–the first synthetic ice sheet in Broward County.
The City of Lauderdale Lakes proclaimed Feb. 12, 2025, “Anthony Duclair Day.”
Two years ago, during NHL All-Star Weekend in South Florida, Duclair made a proclamation that he was forming a charitable foundation in order to make the game more inclusive. At the time, he was a member of the Florida Panthers.
“I couldn’t wait for this day to happen. I am very excited,” Duclair said in a story from NHL.com’s George Richards. “I want to say how much it means to be standing here, especially in a community that has shown me so much love, and to celebrate something really special today.”
Duclair spent three seasons as a member of the Panthers for three seasons before joining the San Jose Sharks in 2023. He was joined on the new surface by some youth hockey players, playing the game outside in the sunshine. Duclair was also on the ice with friend and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bokondji Imama.
“We have talked about this for years now, going back to the launch gala in 2023,” Duclair said. “I made a promise to South Florida, and this is me fulfilling that promise. This is going to be the first of many. I am just glad it went according to plan, and we can keep building things up.”
Both Duclair and Imama host youth development camps in South Florida and Montreal in the summer, with future plans of bringing kids to the rink at the high school for some workouts.
The NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund joined forces with The Duclair Foundation to construct the 100-by-50 rink, made of Glice North America synthetic ice panels. The Growth Fund put forth the money for the construction of the rink, while a donation of $50,000 came from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Fund to purchase equipment that will be used at the facility.