(Arlington, Va.) There’s probably no better motivation to get to the NHL than having a taste of the NHL.
William Dufour can attest to this. The Quebecer played his first (and only) career match last January, and he is counting the days until he can do it again.
The phone call announcing his recall the day before had left him incredulous. “I didn’t really realize it… I wasn’t sure if I was going to play. Reality caught up with him when he was told he would be skating with Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey on the New York Islanders’ first line.
In front of the Boston Bruins in great shape, the Islanders fell 4-1. After an encouraging first period, Dufour found himself on the ice for two opposing goals and quickly returned to the minors. Nevertheless, the Quebecer keeps “only the positive” from his experience.
“I can’t wait to come back,” he said. It’s a feeling you want to relive. »
When he met La Presse and other members of the media last Tuesday, Dufour was in Arlington on the sidelines of the NHL Rookie Showcase, an event organized in particular by the hockey card manufacturer Upper Deck and bringing together young NHL’s most promising players.
Others, the majority in fact, were first-round picks, preparing to make the jump to the American League or the NHL.
Then there were some UFOs. Like William Dufour.
Fifth round pick of the Islanders in 2020 (at 152nd), the Quebec native has not been followed by the aura of a big star since his name was associated with a team on the Bettman circuit. His presence alone at the Recruit Showcase, however, shows to what extent he was able to invite himself onto the screen of skeptics. Once again, you could say.
He knows that being traded twice to the QMJHL before the draft raised questions. “I was perhaps identified as a problem guy,” he says. But the real reason is that Noah Dobson or Dawson Mercer couldn’t have been traded if I hadn’t been offered in return. When you want a big piece, you have to give a young one. »
He was the one who became the “big piece” in another trade, the one that sent him to the Saint John Sea Dogs before the 2021-2022 campaign. Despite his status, the imposing forward perceived himself as an underdog, starting the campaign on the second line.
However, he exploded with 116 points, second in the QMJHL, a performance that earned him the title of most valuable player for his team. He then helped his team win the Memorial Cup, before being crowned tournament MVP.
In the summer, he appeared at the World Juniors as an additional attacker for the Canadian team. In the final, he now played on the first trio with Joshua Roy and Mason McTavish after having climbed all the ranks of the team.
His debut in the American League awaited him a few weeks later, in the fall of 2022. He had been warned. “All the guys told me: ‘It’s hard, scoring points at 20 years old in the American League, especially when you’re not on the first power play…’”
He nevertheless found a way to score 21 goals and amass 48 points in 69 games.
“When you have chances, you have to take them,” he reminds. That’s what I did. »
From the outset, he puts his situation into perspective: “It’s not like in junior: no matter the NHL team, there aren’t any spots. Sometimes there may be one. But not in New York. »
The role of underdog “suits him”, he says without embarrassment. “I’m a guy who works well under pressure, but when I find myself flying under the radar, I do what I have to do. I have won this way all the time. »
He wants to at least leave a “good impression” so that management will keep him in mind for a quick recall if he were to be sold to the American League.
There is no better motivation to reach the NHL, we said, than having already tasted the NHL. William Dufour just wants to taste it. He is starving.
