William Dufour

July 2023 – Potentially a steal in the 2020 draft, fifth round pick Dufour followed up his outstanding season with Saint Johns (QMJHL) with a stellar rookie season at Bridgeport (AHL). Dufour has all the makings of a prototypical Islander middle-six player with offensive upside. Dufour is under contract for two more seasons and should push for a roster spot with the Isles if they ever let some materialize. James Iacovone

July 2022 – Dufour capped a sensational season with a goal and an assist to lead the host St. John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup title with a 6-3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Leading all Memorial scorers with eight points, including seven goals (four in the semi-final), he was named tournament MVP as well as being named first star of the final game. This wasn’t surprising after 56 goals and 60 assists in 66 games brought him regular-season MVP honors. He accomplished all this as a 20-year-old playing against mostly younger players, but the sensational stats support a belief that the fifth-round pick might turn out to be the steal of the 2020 draft. A truer test will come this fall when he turns pro, likely in the AHL. Mark Allan

June 2022 – Although Saint John was eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs, Dufour and his teammates aren’t done with hockey yet. As the host of the 2022 Memorial Cup from June 20 to 29, the Sea Dogs automatically qualify as the host team. Mark Allan

June 2022 – In spite of two goals and two assists in the series, Dufour could not save Saint John from losing 4-3 in OT to underdog Rimouski in the fifth and deciding game of their best-of-five opening-round matchup. Dufour’s regular-season offensive eruption was as a 20-year-old against mostly younger players. His first pro campaign should be revealing. Mark Allan

May 2022 – After muddling through three QMJHL campaigns, Dufour erupted as a 20-year-old with Saint John, which entered its junior playoffs riding a 15-game win streak. The husky 6-3, 205-pounder racked up 56 goals and 60 assists in just 66 outings. With Dufour’s combination of size, aggressive forechecking and scoring touch, he could one day be a productive bottom-six Islander. If he can score enough in the NHL, he could crack the top six as a power forward. Mark Allan

March 2022 – Dufour keeps enhancing his reputation as an offensive dynamo with 41 goals and 36 assists in just 43 QMJHL games. He’s expected to do well as a 20-year-old with the Saint John Sea Dogs, but he had 29 points in 23 outings last season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, so his numbers are not fluky. The real challenge will come once he turns pro. Mark Allan

July 2021 – As talented prospects often do, Dufour broke out in his third junior season. Exceeding a point per game with 17 goals and 12 assists in just 23 appearances during the shortened QMJHL schedule, the husky winger enhanced his sniper appeal. He’s set to play for his fourth team in as many campaigns after the Saint John Sea Dogs acquired him in an off-season trade. Mark Allan

February 2021 – The Isles’ fifth-round pick last year is tied for third in the QMJHL with 14 goals in just 17 appearances for Drummondville, the 6-3, 201-pound RW is tied for 10th with 23 points, including three SH scores, and his 24 PIMs are tied for sixth in the league. The 19-year-old was named first star of the game three straight times. Mark Allan

January 2021 – Dufour picked up recently where he left off when the QMJHL was forced to take a two-month, pandemic-related hiatus. He stretched his goal-scoring streak to six games as Drummondville fell 3-1 to Val-d’Or. He didn’t score in a subsequent 4-1 victory over Gatineau yet extended his points streak to seven outings with three helpers. After seven appearances, the husky 19-year-old winger has seven goals and seven assists, leading his team in points. Mark Allan

November 2020 – A Covid-related suspension of play by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League until at least Oct. 28 has stalled Dufour’s promising early start. The Islanders’ fifth-round pick of his year’s draft recorded three assists in his first two outings for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Mark Allan

October 2020 – Starting late in the third round, the Islanders chose wingers with their first three picks, although fifth-rounder Dufour is the only true power forward among the trio. An imposing figure at 6-3 and 201 pounds, he pressures puck-carriers, relieves them of the disk, and heads the other way as quickly as possible. An intelligent player who has a deceptive shot that can fool goalies, including a good one-timer. He doesn’t deceive anyone with aggressive forechecking, driving the net with or without the puck, battling hard along the boards, and creating disruption in front of the enemy netminder. A good straight-ahead skater and a fast one for his size, he lacks agility and his turns are awkward. He makes up for that by backchecking and blocking shots. Playing for three teams in the past two QMJHL campaigns, he’s off to a good start this season with three assists in two games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Mark Allan