Willy Goes Wild: Dufour Scores First Two Career AHL Goals, Including OT Winner

New York Islanders prospect William Dufour knows how to light the lamp. In his final season of junior hockey, he scored 56 goals for the St. John Sea Dogs before potting seven goals during the Memorial Cup Playoffs. He was named MVP of both leagues before scoring three goals and winning gold at the 2022 IIHF World Juniors with Team Canada.

When New York Islanders training camp came and went, William Dufour had showcased his shot, but his skating was something that needed work. And the Bridgeport Islanders would be the place for him to practice and play hefty minutes on a nightly basis.

Through his first two AHL games, he skated alongside top prospects Aatu Räty and Simon Holmstrom but failed to record a point.

That changed on Friday night as the Memorial Cup MVP scored Bridgeport’s first goal of the game and then the eventual overtime game-winner, a 5-4 win over Providence.

Dufour recorded Bridgeport’s first shot of the game about a minute and a half in as William Dufour carried the puck up the ice on a 2-on-1 with Aatu Räty. Shooter’s shoot, and that’s what Dufour did as he sniped Providence Bruins netminder Keith Kinkaid blocker side for his first career AHL goal.

WILLIAM DUFOUR 👏 pic.twitter.com/1i75Dsia6j

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) October 21, 2022

And then, he sniped yet again in overtime.

After a tremendous save by Bridgeport netminder Cory Schneider, Aatu Räty and William Dufour got on another 2-on-1, like we saw on Dufour’s first goal. However, this time, Aatu Räty transitioned up the ice and fed Dufour, who took a second before sniping Kinkaid glove side.

A save by Cory Schneider on one end, a goal from William Dufour down the other.

Overtime hockey. @AHLIslanders | #BRIvsPRO pic.twitter.com/Jn5OpC5jRW

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) October 22, 2022

Aatu Räty and William Dufour are showing a glimpse of what the future may look like for the New York Islanders. William Dufour still has plenty to work on, only three games into his AHL career, while Räty has played 11.

But it is an encouraging sign to see not only their chemistry forming early but also the fact that Dufour can keep up with Räty up the ice and make quick transitions.

With his two-goal performance, William Dufour now leads the Bridgeport Islanders in goals with two.

Josh Linsenberg contributed to this article.