New Faces and New Places
By Carlynn Claypool
Apr 25, 2025
William Dufour is a two-way forward who played his first game in an Eagles sweater on March 14 against the San Jose Barracuda. Dufour was part of the return in the Colorado Avalanche’s trade with the New York Islanders.
Since the 2022-23 season, Dufour has played for the Bridgeport Islanders where he tallied 44 goals and 47 assists over the course of 169 games played.
Dufour never played against Colorado or any Western Conference team since the Islanders haven’t made the playoffs since the 2021-22 season. Even in his one NHL appearance with the New York Islanders, Dufour played against an Eastern Conference team.
After spending his entire professional career out east, he got the call saying he was headed west to a state he’s never been to before.
“The first thing I decided to check, because I didn’t really follow the West in the AHL, so I didn’t know anyone, didn’t know whose team was good and everything,” Dufour said.
“I just checked the standings, and I saw that that group was really special, it was really good, so I was just happy to come here and so far, so good.”
The first couple of days adjusting to a new system on a new team was difficult for Dufour, but then playing at 5000 feet gets added to the equation. Dufour says the altitude has been the biggest adjustment now that he is comfortable with his linemates.
“It’s just nice to play with them and I know they can finish, I know they can block shots, and I know they can do everything,” Dufour said.
“So, it's nice just to know that I have them on my side. I love playing with them.”
Dufour’s 6-foot-3-inch, 212-pound frame makes him a big presence on the ice. He describes himself as a two-way player with his offensive mindset being his biggest asset. He said he tries to play like a power forward with a strong backcheck.
One major difference Dufour has noticed is the fans.
“It’s crazy, I think a lot of fans make a huge difference,” Dufour said. “Having the crowd behind you, you know they’re behind you every day. It’s just nice to have all of them every night; Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Friday, Saturday.”
As Dufour goes into his first post-season, he has one thing to say to Eagles Country:
“Be ready for the playoffs because we are ready to go and let’s win.”
