If you had bet on the fact that William Dufour would only need 37 games in the American League before getting his first chance in the NHL, you probably made a lot of money.
The Quebec native, a fifth-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2020, was recalled by the New York organization on Wednesday morning and played his first game in the big league in the evening against the Bruins of Boston.
To say the least, head coach Lane Lambert wasn’t afraid to give the 6-foot-2, 215-pound big winger a chance to make a good first impression, as he used it on the right of the first line along with Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey to start the game.
” A DREAM “
Dufour did not finish the game on this line, concluding his first meeting without blackening the score sheet in 6 min 48 s of ice time.
In the morning, Dufour could hardly believe what was about to happen to him.
“I was playing well recently, but we didn’t have the success we would have liked collectively. However, I was hoping for an encore. It’s a dream for me. I meet NHL players, it’s incredible, ”mentioned the Islanders’ fifth-round pick in 2020, at the end of the team’s morning training, comments reported on the organization’s Twitter account.
What added to the magic of the moment, of course, was knowing that not only would he be making his first outings on the Bettman circuit, but he would be doing it on the team’s top line as well.
” [Mathew Barzal] is one of the best players in the NHL. It’s amazing to train with him and if I play on his line, I’m going 100% to stay there. I think if I play in my identity, we can form a good trio. »
CRAZY DAY FOR MOM!
Karine Côté’s day was to unfold like any other. At 9:47 a.m., however, a call would literally derail all his plans, and for the better: his son, William Dufour, told him that he had just been recalled by the New York Islanders and that he was going to play his first night game in the NHL.
It was not a complete surprise, however. Rumors had circulated in the last hours and Ms. Côté had made sure to pack her suitcase. Dufour had received a call from the Islanders the day before telling him to be ready.
Once the call is received, the rush to get the suitcase home, then head to the airport to catch the flight to New York.
” It’s stressful ! she launched at the end of the line when The newspaper joined her, a few minutes before boarding the plane. The joy of being able to experience that moment is indescribable. On Wednesday, we started looking at the flights, but you never know if it’s going to fit into the schedule. »
In the morning, Karine Côté had the opportunity to speak with her son.
“He doesn’t realize it yet. He is very happy! When I spoke to him earlier, he was going back to the hotel to rest a bit. »
The transaction that had allowed him to flourish
When Trevor Georgie learned that William Dufour would play his first NHL game, he couldn’t help but remember a Zoom meeting with the Quebec forward in June 2021.
Archival photo
Trevor Georgia. Sea Dogs General Manager
At that time, the Sea Dogs were preparing to host the Memorial Cup tournament a year later. Georgie, the Sea Dogs general manager, was in talks with the Drummondville Voltigeurs to acquire Dufour, a player who had already been involved in two trades in his career and was on his third team in three years.
“I remember I asked [au directeur général des Voltigeurs] Philippe Boucher if I could speak to him before concluding the transaction. I wanted to know him and especially to know if he was comfortable playing for a fourth team in four years.
“I remember very well that he was tired of being the one we used to acquire other players. He felt he had something to prove and that was a real motivation for him. »
The Sea Dogs eventually acquired Dufour for a first-round pick and Simon Hughes. In Saint-Jean, the big forward exploded, finishing with 56 goals and 116 points, to be named the most valuable player in the QMJHL. He added to that in the Memorial Cup tournament by leading the Sea Dogs to the trophy, receiving the title of MVP of the event.
“When he arrived here, I really saw a young man who was mature and motivated to win. He wanted to score goals and dominate. He really took the opportunity and became the best player in the league. »
NOT SURPRISED
Georgie therefore did not fall out of his chair when he learned that Dufour would be playing his first professional game, after only 37 games in the American Hockey League.
“I’m so happy for him. He has the physique, the throw and the confidence to play at this level. In addition, he has this ability to be even better when he is placed with good players. »
At the time of the interview with The newspaper at the end of the afternoon, Georgie had had time to speak with Dufour for a few moments.
“All I told him was to remember that this opportunity was not given to him. He worked for it and he earned it because he believed in it. »