Dufour Database: QMJHL Career in the Books, What’s Next?

After a 2019-20 season, split between two teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, an 18-year-old William Dufour geared up for the NHL Draft after scoring 28 goals in 59 games.

Dufour listened to 151 names before hearing his own, as the New York Islanders selected him with their fifth-round pick, the 152nd pick of the draft. 

He was being compared to New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck, with the potential to be a solid bottom-six forward in the NHL if he could get there. 

In his first season after being drafted, 2020-21, Dufour showed a slight uptick in scoring, with 17 goals in 23 games in QMJHL season number three.  

Then came his 2021-22 season. 

In his first season as a member of the St. John Sea Dogs, his fourth QMJHL team in four years, Dufour popped off.

The now 20-year-old forward scored 56 goals and recorded 60 assists in just 66 games. His 56 goals set a new franchise record, by nine, and his 116 points surpassed current Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who recorded 105 points for the Sea Dogs in 2010-11. 

Not to mention, Dufour more than doubled his career-high in points (previously 55). 

With still five games to be played in the 2021-22 season, the New York Islanders and William Dufour’s camp came to terms on his three-year entry-level contract on Apr. 21, before losing out on his rights (July 1).

Come season’s end, Dufour was awarded the 2022 Michel-Briére Trophy as the QMJHL’s MVP. 

His 116 points were good for second in the QMJHL, only trailing Montreal Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy by three (119) in that category. His 56 goals led the league, with 20 of them coming on the power play, a league leader in that category. 

Thirteen of Dufour’s 56 goals were credited as game-winners.

Dufour and the Sea Dogs entered the QMJHL Playoffs as the ninth seed, ultimately falling in five games to Océanic Rimouski, the fifth seed. Dufour notched two goals and two assists in the series.

Despite a first-round exit in the playoffs, Dufour and the Sea Dogs still had a lot to play for. 

Due to winning the bid for host city of the Memorial Cup Playoffs, the Sea Dogs were automatically the fourth and final team competing for one of the most challenging championships in all of Canada in front of their home crowd. 

The other three teams were the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL Champions), the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL Champs), and the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL Champions). 

After three round-robin games, the Sea Dogs went 2-0-1 and advanced to the Finals, with a scheduled matchup against the Hamilton Bulldogs, who they had already beaten 5-3 in pool play. 

Dufour scored twice in the first round-robin game, once in the second game, and with his team down 3-0 in Game 3, scored four times to help the Sea Dogs advance to the Memorial Cup Finals. 

Six goals in three games for Dufour. 

Before the Finals, the Canadian Hockey League announced their finalists for the David Branch Player of the Year Award: Kamloops Blazers Logan Stankoven (WHL), Windsor Spitfires Wyatt Johnston (OHL), and St. John Sea Dogs William Dufour (QMJHL). 

A few days later, Stankoven was crowned the winner after a 45-goal, 59-assist season (104 points) in 59 regular-season games.

But Dufour still had a chance at taking home a second MVP award, as any point in the Memorial Cup Finals would have clinched him the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy. 

Dufour picked up two, with a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over the Bulldogs, as the Sea Dogs hoisted the Memorial Cup Trophy, with Dufour being named MVP. 

That was a wrap on Willaim Dufour’s 2021-22 season. In 75 total games, Dufour scored 65 goals with 63 assists. He won two MVP awards. He broke the St. John Sea Dogs record for goals and points.

It’s what you would call tremendously tremendous. But now what?

Anyone that tells you William Dufour is going to be a stud or that William Dufour does not have what it takes to make it to the NHL are talking out their, you know…

Dufour just had his best season in the Q, but it came in his age 20 season, the oldest age you can before you age out. Now the storyline that Dufour was beating up on 16 and 17-year-olds is complete cockamamy. 

QMJHL age breakdown is close to that of the Mem. Cup:

16 – 01.50%
17 – 13.50%
18 – 27.50%
19 – 28.25%
20 – 19.50%
21 – 09.75%

So #Isles Dufour primarily plays vs. 18-20yo. So comparable age. Heck he plays vs. 9x more 21yo than 16yo. https://t.co/xuGduybTbu

— Michel Anderson (@TLOMitch) June 28, 2022

Because William Dufour signed his ELC already and has now aged out of the QMJHL, he will now take his talents to the American Hockey League in 2022-23 and play for the Bridgeport Islanders.

This upcoming season for him will be his most significant, as he will be playing against players of all ages and sizes, where the competitive level will be nothing like he’s seen before. 

Not that one AHL season will define his career outlook, but it will give everyone a much better idea as to where he lies. Although not announced yet, the Islanders should be hosting a prospect camp, and it is assumed that Dufour will be in attendance. 

Was William Dufour’s 2021-22 season just one of magic, or can he showcase that lethal shot and clutch performance on a much bigger stage?