Anthony Duclair lends a helping hand

On Tuesday afternoon, some lucky homeless gentlemen got the opportunity to hang out with a rising NHL star, Anthony Duclair. The young Montrealer dropped in for a game of ball hockey with the gents at Mission Bon Accueil in Montreal, a centre that helps the people in need.

It's nice to see a smile on the faces of the guys, Jean-Michel Paquette who acted as a supervisor for the game. Life has been pretty rough on some of them. It's in these kinds of moments that they can regain a little dose of dignity.

With the participants there was Jacques Demers, who had a smile on his face during the whole time. Ever since he was administered in the Mission Bon Accueil, 14 months ago, he found a job as a chef's assistant in the workplace of Mission Bon Accueil.

The centre offers you all the tools necessary to get you back onto your feet. What's even better is that nobody is judging you, Demers stated in an interview.

One of the reasons why Duclair showed up is because of his uncle Farell that works in the establishment of Mission Bon Accueil.

It's important to involve the community, Farell explained. There are many people that don't have the chance that we've got in life, so when we can, we should lend a helping hand. I knew Anthony was very busy this summer, but I still decided to ask him and he accepted.

When my uncle asked me to implicate myself in his cause, I said yes without any hesitation, Duclair stated. Every chance I get to give back to the community and help less fortunate people than I, it's always a pleasure, the forward stated.

The love of sports must be in the blood for the Duclairs. Farell was drafted in the first round of the 1996 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders as a fullback.