Forward William Dufour was set to have his baptism of fire with the New York Islanders tonight, and he shouldn’t be badly accompanied. In the morning, he trained with Matthew Barzal and Josh Bailey on the team’s front line.
Author of 13 goals and 25 points in 37 games with the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League, Dufour learned earlier this morning that he had been recalled by the big club.
“I’ve been playing well lately, but we haven’t had the success that we would have wished for together. However, I was hoping for an encore. It’s a dream for me. I hang out with NHL players, it’s amazing,” mentioned the Islanders’ pick for the 2020 fifth round at the end of the team’s morning practice session in a video posted to the organization’s Twitter account.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but it looks like head coach Lane Lambert will give Dufour a real shot at his NHL debut.
” [Mathew Barzal] is one of the best players in the NHL. It’s great to train with him and when I play his line I stay there 100%. I think if I play in my identity we can make a good trio. »
That identity, by the way, is what Dufour hopes to bring tonight against the Boston Bruins.
“I want to be the same player that I was at junior level. I want to bring physical play and create attack like I’ve done at Bridgeport since the start of the season. If I move my feet and finish my controls, I’m fine. »
CRAZY DAY FOR MOM!
Karine Côté’s day would unfold like any other.
At 9:47 a.m., however, a phone call would literally ruin all his plans, and for the better: his son, William Dufour, informed him that he had just been called up by the New York Islanders that he would be playing his first game in the NHL at night.
It wasn’t a total surprise, however. Rumors had been circulating for the last few hours and Mrs Côté had made sure to pack her suitcase.
Dufour had received a call from the islanders a day earlier telling him to be ready.
As soon as the call comes in, the rush to get the suitcase home and then drive to the airport to catch the flight to New York.
“It’s stressful!” she said on the phone when the journal reached her a few minutes before boarding the plane. The joy of being able to experience this moment is indescribable. Yesterday we started looking at the flights but you never know if it will fit into the schedule. »
9:47 am this morning I’m sitting at my desk at work… 11:05 am I go through security at the airport and 12:40 am the flight!!! I can’t believe it’s really true and that in a few hours my big Ti wolf will make his dream come true 🧡🤍💙 https://t.co/PMLHnYbQPv
— Karine Cote 🎗 (@KarineCote1974) January 18, 2023
In the morning Karine Côté had the opportunity to talk to her son.
“He doesn’t realize it yet. He is very happy! When I spoke to him earlier, he wanted to go back to the hotel to get some rest. »