The Lightning were one of over 100 sites to host an event joining several other NHL clubs and USA Hockey associations.
Duggan, who as captain led the United States Women's National Team to a gold medal in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, ran all three clinics the Lightning hosted for girls and women on Saturday afternoon. The clinics included shooting drills, skating agility drills and scrimmages.
"I love that the Lightning and the NHL are taking part in this weekend," Duggan said. "It's something that's happening around the globe and it's very exciting to see so many girls and women playing the sport that I love so much."
Courtney Green, 16, was among those girls participating in the clinic and said sharing the ice with Duggan was "a dream."
"I've watched them win a gold medal and she's amazing," Green said. "So it's a great honor to be on the ice with her."
Green plays in the Lightning's high school league with her school, Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, Florida. She is hopeful that the continued growth of women's hockey will help her continue to play the sport in college and beyond.
"It's great what the Lightning are doing to introduce the sport to girls," Green said. "They have a U-16 travel team now and they are really serious about making sure everyone can play hockey."
There are over 80,000 girls signed up to play hockey in the United States, an increase of over 33 percent according to USA Hockey. Duggan said it's important that the number continue to grow.
"We want a better future for these young girls," Duggan said. "I had the opportunity when I was 11 years old to watch the 1998 team win the gold medal and it changed my life. I made that my goal and dreams and 20 years later it's dictated who I am and what I've done in my life. I'm so proud of that and to share that experience with these young girls is really special."
Duggan credits the Lightning for their commitment to growing hockey around the Tampa Bay area.
"Our team had the opportunity to live here in Tampa for seven months or so (training for the Olympics) and we got to see firsthand what they do in the community to promote hockey and just athleticism," Duggan said. "I think they are one of the gold standards in the NHL for their outreach with the community."
