John Tonelli on Becoming a New York Islander At this point in his career, AHL veteran Chris Terry [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/.preview/cn02c4b5b6f00027ce?auth=1689949773:974d518275660b5261f9db1a0464e81027449ffc&nonce=1689863373598] loves seeing his teammates succeed. And this past season, his second season with the Bridgeport Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/bridgeport-islanders-new-york-islanders-rick-kowalsky-head-coach], he saw a lot of that, with six players making their NHL debut as well as other youngsters taking strides. "I know where I'm at in my career. I was on an AHL contract, so being called up wasn't even in the realm, and I think that works in my favor. To talk to the guys -- and I'm not really a threat to be called up to them -- so I want to see them be called up. I want to see them do well," Terry said during his interview with Hockey Night in New York [https://www.youtube.com/@hockeynightny]. During the interview, Terry dove into two of the Islanders prospects, so let's dive in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM DUFOUR After winning everything under the sun, from QMJHL Play of the Year to the Memorial Cup, to Memorial Cup MVP, before taking home a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Juniors, William Dufour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-prospect-matthew-maggio-william-dufour-samuel-bolduc] began his professional career with the Islanders in Bridgeport. The fifth-round selection in 2020 showed off his shot and his willingness to shoot, with 21 goals and 27 assists (48 points) in 69 games. "He's a pure goal scorer," Terry said. "I think he has the ability to kind of score from anywhere in the zone because of that shot he has. And I think the progression he made in his first year...it can be hard to come from junior and be a high-point guy. The AHL is not an easy league, and I think the strides he took from Game 1 until the end was tremendous." The 20-year-old was dominant when the puck was on his stick, but he learned a valuable lesson in his first season in the AHL. "I think he understood that he had to play away from the puck in order to get the puck, and I think you saw his game round into form as a whole as the season went along. "I think everyone understands and knows what he's going to do as a goal scorer, and we saw that throughout the year for sure. That never wavered." Dufour did get called up to the NHL, playing just one game against the juggernaut Boston Bruins on Jan. 18. "We were excited when he got called up, and we made sure he knew we were happy for him and congratulated him," Terry said. "Your first game is a special game, and we all dream of how it goes perfectly, scoring or scoring the game-winning goal. But the reality is, it doesn't happen." Dufour played on the top line with Mathew Barzal but quickly found himself on the bench after a few mistakes and a few Bruin goals in a 4-1 loss. He looked a bit overwhelmed and seemed a tad too raw to be up at the NHL that quickly. After the game, he was not made available to the media, understandably so, and was sent down before the night was over. "I don't think much needed to be said," Terry said when Dufour returned to Bridgeport. " I think a lot was already probably said to him or speculated...the social media world we live in, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to look to see what was already being said, so we just welcomed him back. "He knew how important he was for us, and he just continued to be an important piece for us down there." Dufour got a taste of NHL action, something that likely fueled him to close out the season and something that is at the front of his mind as he strengthens his game this summer. With the Islanders needing offense, Dufour can become a key piece if he can bolster his skating and transition game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RUSLAN ISKHAKOV With the 43rd overall pick at the 2018 NHL Draft, the Islanders selected speedster Ruslan Iskhakov [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/396204/ruslan-iskhakov]. After two years at the University of Connecticut and two years overseas, the Russian forward came back to North America to begin his Islanders career with Bridgeport. Iskhakov didn't get a chance to show his worth at the NHL level like some of his teammates, but the talent is certainly there. In 69 games in Bridgeport, Iskhakov lit the lamp 17 times with 34 assists and was named an All-Star. He also took home AHL Rookie of the Month in October with four goals and 10 assists in 10 games. "Rusty's a great player. We played a lot together throughout the year at times, and was probably one of the most skilled players I've ever played with in the American League," Terry said. "He can do things with the puck that other guys can't. Obviously, he's on the smaller side (5'9), but I think that works to his advantage. "His center of gravity is lower than the ice, and he's really good on his edges. His puck protection is obviously a strength of his game, and the ability to hold onto it." Terry doesn't think Islander fans should worry about Iskhakov and that he will get his chance with the big club. "He didn't get called up, and I understand that," Terry said. "I wouldn't be worried. I think he's a special player, a really good player for the Islanders, kind of like Dufour. "It's not easy your first year to play in the American League and do as well as they did, and his time in the NHL will come. I have no doubt about it." Catch the entire interview: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ic-wXr-KR0[/embed]
