Islanders prospects make impressive haul of annual team awards

The good times keep on coming in for New York Islanders prospect William Dufour. He's already on a career year with 112 points (and counting). He's set the single-season franchise record for goals and points.

Top all that off with an NHL contract just a few days ago. As a fifth-round pick in 2020, that NHL deal wasn't always a given. Keep in mind the last Islanders late-round pick from the QMJHL who had a productive fourth year, didn't get an NHL deal (Felix Bibeau).

But look it doesn't stop there for Dufour. On Monday, the Saint John Sea Dogs hosted their annual awards gala and Dufour cleaned up.

New York Islanders William Dufour continues impressive season

Dufour took home three awards in the evening celebrations. The top scorer, the player voted MVP, and the overall MVP.

That first award (top scorer) was never in doubt. With 112 points on the year (so far) he has a 17-point lead over the next most-productive player on the Sea Dogs roster (Josh Lawrence).

I'd heard rumblings that Dufour's play rubbed teammates the wrong way. He was too selfish and that didn't always sit well with his teammates was the rumor. That rumor clearly has no merit by winning the player-voted MVP Award. His teammates appreciate what he brings to the table and how effortlessly he's able to convert shots to goals.

I wasn't sure he'd be the team MVP. It's not to say that he's not important to the team. Clearly, he is. You don't lead the league in scoring and not be an important player for your team. But Josh Lawrence as the team's number one center and second in points had a strong claim to the award.

That's three pretty huge (quite literally) awards for William Dufour.

The next step for him - before getting to the pros- is pulling more major awards. Namely the QMJHL President's Cup and maybe even the Memorial Cup.