From a likely bottom-six forward, if he ever reached the NHL level, to now a potential top-six scorer, New York Islanders prospect William Dufour has fans excited, given the strides he took this summer. He sat down with The Hockey News to discuss his career thus far.

From a likely bottom-six forward, if he ever reached the NHL level, to now a potential top-six scorer, New York Islanders prospect William Dufour has fans excited, given the strides he took this summer. 

Let's start at the beginning. 

COVID-19 impacted Dufour's ability to live out the true NHL Draft experience, as the league decided to make it virtual. But that didn't change the emotions that come with hearing your name called when the Islanders used their 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 152) on the French Canadian. 

"When I saw my name on the screen, I was just so happy to get drafted by the New York Islanders," Dufour told The Hockey News. "At that time, I heard a lot of good things about the islanders, and so far, so good.

"I'm happy to be here. Like I said, when I got drafted, it was an exciting moment for me and my family as well."

Dufour and many other prospects had their development stifled by COVID-19, with the juniors shutting down for the better part of two seasons, leaving players to develop on their own accord, whether it be at a local rink and likely an at-home gym. 

"In the QMJHL in 2021, I played 23 games," Dufour said. "My team played 30 games, but I had a knee injury.

Like his Bridgeport teammate Matt Maggio, Dufour did not have his best junior season until his final year.

"Two years ago, I was going into it at 19 years old. I had my best season by far," Dufour said. "With my injury, I just worked so hard during that summer, so when I came back, I was ready to go to war." 

Dufour was so good that season that he led the QMJHL in goals and was second in points. His 56 goals, 60 assists, and 116 points helped lead his Saint John Sea Dogs team to the Memorial Cup final in 2022, ultimately hoisting the trophy where he was named Memorial Cup MVP.

"At Saint John, we had a good team to go far into the playoffs and the Memorial Cup," Dufour said. "I was very happy to have a great season like I did, and I think I did pretty good."

Following that winning year, which included a gold medal for Team Canada at the IIHF World Juniors, Dufour turned pro, joining the Bridgeport Islanders for the start of the 2022-23 season.

Most prospects will tell you about how much faster the game is when transferring from juniors to pro hockey, but that's not what stood out to Dufour. 

The biggest difference Dufour noticed when transitioning to professional hockey wasn't in himself but in his surroundings. 

"When I was 19, I was playing against a lot of younger players," Dufour said. "Then, when I came here last year, I was the youngest guy on the team playing against men. It's just way different."

Dufour's size, standing at six-foot-two and weighing 215 pounds, undoubtedly helped him settle in. But his skating deficiency became a negative standout against the other NHL hopefuls. 

"Even if they are not big, they are just stronger in every situation, whether on their stick or physically. It's way harder to create space for yourself or shoot the puck on time," Dufour said. "There's always someone on you, so I think it's the physicality and the pace of the game. It's way faster."

Dufour had himself a strong rookie campaign in Connecticut, potting 21 goals with 27 assists. But the young scorer wasn't satisfied with the numbers. 

"Every player, sometimes you have lows, sometimes you have highs. Last year, I got scratched one game. I was unhappy with my performance and had to watch a game from the stands," Dufour said. "I think that woke me up a lot because a month after, I was called up to the NHL."

On Jan 18, 2023, Dufour made his NHL debut against the Boston Bruins.

He logged just 6:48 of ice time in a loss to the eventual President's Trophy winners, as the Islanders put him in a tough position, and he got exposed.

Nevertheless, making your NHL debut is something always to be proud of.

"Great experience for me," Dufour said. "When I received the call from Chris (Lamoriello), it was just a nice moment."

Getting a small glimpse of NHL action has motivated Dufour even more to make it back with the big club. 

"It was nice to play my first NHL game, and I can't wait to be back there," Dufour said. "So when you taste it one time, you want to be back, and I'll keep working hard to go back there."

There is one important lesson that Dufour learned in his first professional season last year.

"You need to work for everything. There's no day off, and there's no game that is going to be easy," Dufour said. "You need to be at your best, and I think that's the biggest thing I learned from last year."

The biggest critique of Dufour's game, as mentioned earlier, has been his skating ability, and he made sure to work hard to change that narrative. 

"I needed to improve (my skating) for sure. I worked a lot on it last summer, and I showed it during training camp," Dufour said. "Even this season, my skating has been good. I think it's about me backchecking and finishing my checks. In the offensive zone, just be quicker on pucks. 

"In general, when you're faster, you're a better hockey player."

Being comfortable on the ice is one thing, but being comfortable in an environment is a completely different story.

While the Islanders are not short on Canadian players, the French Canadians have played a major role in Dufour's comfort level. 

"(J.G) Pageau has helped me since day one. He texted me as soon as I got drafted," Dufour said. "He's a French guy, and as a French guy, he helped me a lot last year and even this year in training camp.

"He's a good guy. Also, last year there was (Anthony) Beauviller, but he got traded."

Other Islanders have been a strong support system for Dufour, as veterans Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin have assisted Dufour as well. 

"I talked to Cizikas, so he's been there for me a lot last year. At the beginning of the year, I played golf with him and Martin as well," Dufour said. "So it's just nice to have those types of guys in the organization helping the young guys grow."

Dufour may be known for his elite shot, but he classifies himself as a power forward rather than a true sniper.

"I think just to control the puck, shoot the puck and go to the net," Dufour said. "I believe I'm a big guy, so when I use my body, I think I'm pretty dangerous from underneath."

It's been a slow start for Dufour in year two with Bridgeport, with just one goal and one assist in seven games. 

"I need to improve," Dufour said. "If I don't have my A-game every night, I'm trying to find my B-game and C-game so I can do something good,

The second-year pro is still rounding out his game with Bridgeport,  but that hasn't stopped Dufour from having big plans for his future. 

"My goal is to play a lot of NHL games this year, to get called up," Dufour said. "I see myself in the NHL being a full-time player and having a big role there. That's my biggest goal."

Stefen Rosner contributed to this report.