Islanders Sign Dufour to 3-Year Entry Level Contract

It was a matter of time before the New York Islanders and 2020 fifth-round draft pick (152nd overall) William Dufour came to terms on a contract. And that day was Thursday.

#Isles Transaction: William Dufour has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry level contract.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 21, 2022

The 20-year-old forward currently leads the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in goals (52) and points (109) through 61 games with the St. John Sea Dogs. His 109-point season (and counting) is a new record for the Sea Dogs.

Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau had held the club record for most points in a season with 105, which he set back in 2010-11. Now the record belongs to William Dufour.

The Islanders had until July 1 to sign William Dufour or they would have lost his rights.

Dufour has played in the QMJHL since his age 16 season but did not start to figure things out until his third season in the league.  Dufour lasted just 29 games with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (five goals, three assists) who selected him 6th overall in the 2018 QMJHL Draft before being dealt to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

After 22 points in 31 games for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens to start the 2019-20 season, Dufour was dealt for the second time in his QMJHL career, landing with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. In 28 games to finish the season, Dufour had 33 points with 18 goals and 15 assists.

The following season, still with the Sagueneens, Dufour put up 17 goals and 12 assists in 23 games played. That summer, he was drafted by the New York Islanders.

On July 23 of 2021, the Sea Dogs acquired the talented forward, and as evident by the production, he has truly flourished in St. John.

The St. John Sea Dogs have five more games to play in their regular season, with their next contest against the Acadie-Bathurst Titans Friday, Apr. 22. Dufour and his team have already clinched a playoff spot and currently sit third in the standings with a 42-17-1-3 record, as they are riding a 10-game winning streak.

It is difficult to gauge how a career will go based on Junior numbers, given the closeness in age amongst the competition, not having to play against full-grown men on a nightly basis, etc. That’s why Dufour’s first year in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Islanders will be a good test to see where he is at regarding his development.