Islanders Fall 3-1 to Predators in Dying Seconds of Third New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/mathew-barzal-bo-horvat-new-york-islanders-casey-cizikas-adam-henrique] prospect William Dufour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/william-dufour-new-york-islanders-prospects-bridgeport-islanders] has started to find success with the Bridgeport Islanders in what is now his second full season in the American Hockey League. The 21-year-old winger has nine goals and four assists for 13 points in 23 games this year. It has been an interesting season for Dufour, as he had a slow start to the season before missing a month of games. He was out from Nov. 5, and he did not return to action until Dec. 8 due to personal reasons. Since his return, Dufour has looked confident, quicker, and motivated and has started to find the back of the net consistently. The Hockey News checked in with Dufour to discuss his play this season since returning to the lineup. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNjQ2NzE3NDk1NjE3NDY3/gcafjiswwaai6s7.jpg] “It was good for me. I'm playing good hockey right now,” Dufour said. “I think since I've been back, I've played pretty consistently, and it's been good. I'm happy so far and like to keep building and hopefully win more this year.” There are a few areas Dufour wanted to get better in, and he feels he has been able to do so. “Just consistency, working hard, forecheck and obviously score some goals,” Dufour said. “So far, so good. The puck has been going in since I came back, so yeah, I'm happy.” Dufour is known for his tremendous shot and quick release. He feels that through every obstacle, that shot remains the strongest part of his game. “Since I was young, I've always been working on my shot, and I think it's the biggest threat in my game,” Dufour said. “I think I need to use it more.” “Shoot the puck more, and when I use my shot, it's always more dangerous to score goals or create a rebound or generate a scoring chance. I'm pretty comfortable with my shot.” Eight of Dufour’s nine goals this season have come since his return. That includes goals in three straight games. All three of those goals have come on the power play. There were a lot of areas of noticeable change while watching Dufour in action against the Checkers last week. His shot has always been the most dangerous part of his game, but there are major improvements in his skating, along with using his size. Dufour looks quicker in all areas of the ice, pouncing on loose pucks, playing strong defensively, and creating offense. “The summer, I trained a lot about this, and since this year, I feel I skate faster, and I'm more in shape as well, so I think that helped me everywhere on the ice,” Dufour said. “It can be o-zone, d-zone, can be physical play, backchecking, big on guys. So yeah, I think it's helped me a lot.” Dufour looks to have a newfound confidence added to his game and is looking to take control with the puck on his stick. He has been scanning the play and breaking the puck out of the defensive zone. “Since juniors, I like to have the control of the puck and like having breakouts doing like some coast-to-coasts, showing I can skate with the puck and just making some plays,” Dufour said. “I think it's in my game, and I try to do it more and more.” He has used his six-foot-three frame to play physically. Dufour has not only finished checks but has been strong on the puck, protecting it from the opponent and driving towards the net. “I mean, when I'm using my size, it creates more space not just for me but for my linemates,” Dufour said. “Playing with a skilled guy like Ish (Iskhakov) makes him better when he has time and space. He's very dangerous, so I think using my size like this can’t just help me but can also help others.” Dufour explained the chemistry he has built playing with Ruslan Iskhakov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/ruslan-iskhakov-new-york-islanders-prospect-rick-kowalsky]. The two were looking for each other with the puck while on the ice. Since being put together, they have been very successful. “Our line has been pretty good, I think we score goals almost every game,” Dufour said. “We're close together off the ice, and I think it's helped us see each other on the ice with Otto (Koivula). We are a good line, and we need to contribute well if we want to have team success.” Iskhakov leads Bridgeport with 31 points in 34 games, tallying 12 goals and 19 assists. He was selected as Bridgeport’s 2024 All-Star representative. If the Bridgeport Islanders are to be successful, Dufour producing at a consistent rate is going to be a large part of it. “I want to contribute to the team’s success. We're still far from a playoff spot, but in the room, we're confident that we can come back.” Bridgeport will continue to battle until the very end of the season. “The season is still young with more than half left to play,” Dufour said. “So we keep building, and we want to make the playoffs, so we're gonna make a rush to the end of the year to make the playoffs.” Dufour shared what the team needs to do to become successful and find consistency. “Individually, just keep working, just keep playing hard,” Dufour said. “As a team, just keep working. I mean, we have a good team. So if we play to our identity, we're gonna have success.” He wants to keep shooting and working hard on his own, knowing his success is crucial for the team. “Personal level just keep working like I said. Just keep shooting pucks and keep going to the net,” Dufour said. “If I do all those details backchecking, defensively, everything like this, I'm gonna have success, so just keep going and keep doing that.” Dufour has shown flashes of his potential this year as he is developing into a player who can consistently score goals for the Islanders organization. The improvements in his recent play should not be understated in all aspects of the game.
