“It’s kind of funny, I used to hate doing oral presentations in school and here I am talking to you guys,” the Florida Panthers forward said during a surprise visit with the players.

Duclair said Thursday’s chat was easy because he discussed a topic close to him and the young players he stood before: combating racism in hockey and making the sport more inclusive.

“Just seeing you, all the nationalities here today, for me is very special because when I play hockey, I was usually the only Black player on my team … sometimes I wouldn’t see a Black player at all in a hockey rink,” Duclair said. “Just seeing you guys right now just warms my heart.”

Florida Panthers forward Anthony Duclair speaks to a roomful of youngsters from Hockey Players of Color Movement who are competing at the Amerigol LATAM Cup.

Duclair chatted with HPOC Movement Under-12 and Under-16 teams comprised largely of Black, Hispanic and Asian players and fielded questions from his favorite foods, checking Connor McDavid and getting checked by P.K. Subban, to what he would like to do when his playing days are over.

“Kind of doing this,” Duclair said. “I want to grow the game of hockey. I want to send the message to everyone that this is a safe sport for Black people and players of [color].

“Obviously, I’ve gone through racism when I played … and I have a little brother who is 20 years old, he’s gone through the same thing,” Duclair said. “For me, sitting where I am today, I wouldn’t be here without my parents. They instilled that character inside me at a young age. And I just want to give back and share my experiences with you guys and share my experiences with as many kids as possible to make sure this stuff eventually doesn’t happen anymore.”

Duclair had his best professional season in 2021-22, with 58 points (31 goals, 27 assists) in 74 games. He sustained an Achilles tendon injury during offseason training that required surgery. Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in July that Duclair is expected to return midseason.

Florida Panthers forward Anthony Duclair speaks to a roomful of youngsters from Hockey Players of Color Movement who are competing at the Amerigol LATAM Cup.

HPOC Movement was established in February 2020 by Jazmine Miley, a 27-year-old Afro-Latina who captains Puerto Rico’s women’s team at the LATAM Cup and is the women’s hockey coach at Paul Smith’s College, an upstate New York school that competes in American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II.

Its mission is to highlight and support players of color and provide them the opportunity and outlet to bond with other players who are often the only minority players on their team.

Miley said she was grateful that Duclair had the time to stop by.

“This is something that they will talk about for years, the pictures, the autographs and everything,” she said. “A memorable moment.”

The visit resonated with Nigel Wilson-Phillippi, an 11-year-old defenseman from the Washington, D.C. area.

“It was great because he’s an NHL player and he’s Black and he actually cares about people of color, and it’s great knowing that someone actually cares,” he said.