The New York Islanders are a franchise defined by perseverance, hard work and structure. Their players match this description. 2020 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft selection William Dufour is one of the organization’s newest faces and he fits right into the culture the Islanders are attempting to build.

“We’re pleased [with our 2020 Draft Class],” said Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello. “We drafted three forwards, all of good size and all wingers.”

With no first- or second-round picks after trading for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, the Islanders needed to be smart. Lamoriello and his staff identified an objective and stuck to it.

“I complement our scouting staff at the job they did, not having a first-and-second round pick,” Lamoriello said. “The objective going into the draft was no different than any other draft: trying to get the best possible players available that will allow you to stockpile your assets. That’s exactly what transpired.”

Get To Know Islanders Prospect William Dufour

The Islanders selected Dufour from the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the fifth round.

“New York is great with their young players,” Dufour said. “They have surprised people the last few years, including last season when they made the semifinals.”

After winning four playoff series in two seasons, the Islanders are emerging as a respected NHL organization.

“It is unbelievable to get drafted by the New York Islanders,” Dufour said. “When I asked my agent about the team, he said it was the best place I could go to.”

Along with his father, mother, cousin and agent, the Dufour family celebrated the NHL Draft in October, culminating an 18-year journey.

“Getting drafted was a very emotional experience,” Dufour said. “It was great to be with the people I love. My mom saw my name on the screen first and started screaming. She was so happy and proud that I would be an Islander.”

However, Dufour did not watch the Islanders on television growing up.

“As a kid, I watched a lot of the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens,” Dufour said. “I never watched the New York Islanders because it was rare they were televised.”

That is about to change.

“When the season starts, I will certainly start watching the Islanders more,” Dufour said. “Everyone says I play like Cal Clutterbuck, who is an Islanders right-winger, so I want to watch him play.”

Dufour’s Minor League Career

The similarities between Clutterbuck and Dufour are clear. Like Clutterbuck, Dufour (6’3”, 200 pounds) brings physicality and strength to an organization that values exactly that.

“I try to just play hockey,” Dufour said. “My first priority is to create offense, protect the puck, give some hip checks and get physical.”

The 18-year-old tallied a career-high 55 points between the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and Voltigeurs in the QMJHL last season.

“The QMJHL helped me so much,” Dufour said. “I have been in the league since I was 16 and have met many role models that have helped me grow as a player and a person.”

He potted 28 goals, adding an offensive element to his physical style.

“Scoring a goal is the best feeling in the world,” Dufour said. “Even when there are no spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, I enjoy scoring goals. It is really nice.”

Dufour has spent years mastering a deceptively low shot that has confused goalies.

“I shoot the puck low wherever there is open space,” Dufour said. “I like to shoot down the pads and on the blocker because it is a tough spot for the goalie to reach. The main thing for me is creating rebounds for my teammates if I cannot score.”

“Since I have been young, goalies have told me it is difficult to read my shot. I always toe drag to confuse the goalie. This has become normal for me and is a strength in my game. It worked last year and I scored a bunch of goals.”

Role Models and Goals For the Future

Dufour has been working on his shot since he was young, but did not always know he would be a professional hockey player.

“I played baseball growing up and was actually a better baseball player then hockey player,” Dufour said. “But once I started playing hockey, I knew I wanted to play in the NHL.”

His father helped him decide that hockey was his key to success.

“My father is my biggest role model,” Dufour said. “He is the biggest hockey fan I know and wanted me to play. He took me to my 6 a.m. practices and always paid for my hockey career.”

On the ice, Dufour has another role model, Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler. The 2004 fifth-overall selection has 264 goals and 497 assists in 931 career games.

“The NHL scouts asked me who my hockey role model is and I said Blake Wheeler,” Dufour said. “He is big and shoots the puck. I model my game after him.”

Dufour has NHL dreams, but he will also attempt to do what Wheeler has been unable to do: win a Stanley Cup.

“I want to have a good season when it starts,” Dufour said. “I also want to sign my first contract, make the NHL and win a Stanley Cup. The future is bright.”

David Lazar