William Dufour
William Dufour is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a left winger. He most recently played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. He was selected in the fifth round, 152nd overall, by the New York Islanders in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Dufour played four seasons of major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Drummondville Voltigeurs and Saint John Sea Dogs, winning the Memorial Cup with the latter in 2022.
Playing career
Dufour was drafted by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the sixth overall pick of the 2018 QMJHL entry draft. On January 6, 2019, he was traded to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. His stint with the Saguenéens lasted until December 15, 2019, when he was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. In June 2021, Dufour was traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs.Dufour was selected in the fifth round, 152nd overall, of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders. On April 21, 2022, Dufour signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team. In his National Hockey League debut on January 18, 2023, Dufour recorded one hit and logged 6:48 minutes of ice time as the Islanders lost 4–1 against the Boston Bruins.
During the 2024–25 season, approaching the NHL trade deadline, Dufour was traded by the Islanders along with Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington and conditional first and third-round selections on March 6, 2025. Dufour was assigned directly to AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the remainder of the season, posting one goal and four points through 12 regular season games.
As a pending restricted free agent, Dufour was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Avalanche, releasing him to free agency. On July 9, 2025, Dufour opted to pursue a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Russian club, Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League, for the 2025–26 season. Dufour made just seven appearances in the KHL with Togliatti before opting to terminate his contract and return to North America on October 23. After a brief stint in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey, Dufour returned to the AHL in signing a try-out contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the primary affiliate to the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 10, 2025. Dufour posted one goal in six appearances with the Penguins before he was released from his tryout on December 31.