The right move: Anthony Duclair officially heading back to juniors.
Duclair will be back in a Remparts jersey soon. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Shortly after Team Canada had won the Gold, reports started surfacing that Rangers super prospect, Anthony Duclair was headed back to juniors. It was a move we expected and one we feel makes the most sense for his development.
Big tournament for Anthony Duclair. Lots of sources saying he’ll be back with the Remparts.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) January 6, 2015
TVA Sports et Journal de Montréal’s Renaud Lavoie was the first to break it and TSN’s Bob McKenzie all but confirmed it today.
Looks like NYR Anthony Duclair is likely headed back to Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 6, 2015
The New York Rangers have just released official word on the decision.
#NYR have assigned forward Anthony Duclair to the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL.
Press Release: https://t.co/D5V5rlUXKa
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 6, 2015
As for the move, it was an easy one to make. Especially with the play of JT Miller and Jesper Fast, finding top 9 minutes for the 19 year old Duclair was looking to be too difficult. “I’m happy here,” Duclair recently said as the Rangers were faced with the decision of letting him go play for Team Canada at the WJC. Alain Vigneault and assistant GM, Jeff Gorton have now decided it’s best for the kid to play than sit in the stands.
Duclair had dressed in 18 games this season but was finding himself the odd man out more often than not before heading to the World Juniors. Now that Miller and Fast have taken a huge step forward, it appears to be the final factor in the decision to return Duclair back to the QMJHL.
It doesn’t benefit Anthony Duclair to just practice with the BIG CLUB. He needs to play, and if he can’t get into games here, playing for a championship with the Quebec Remparts makes the most sense.
More About:New York Rangers Features