Isles Day to Day: Dufour and Cholowski Recalled

William Dufour and Dennis Cholowski were recalled from the Bridgeport Islanders on Wednesday and participated in the New York Islanders morning's optional skate.
Dufour has 25 points (13G, 12A) in 37 games played in his first season with Bridgeport before his recall to the big leagues, which he said was a dream come true.
"I'm just happy, it's something I've been waiting [for] since I was a kid, to play a game in the NHL," Dufour said after skating with the team on Wednesday. "If I'm in, I'll be ready to play for sure."

Dufour spent some of Wednesday's skate alongside Mathew Barzal, though Head Coach Lane Lambert did not reveal anything about his lineup.

"He's one of the best players in the NHL," Dufour said about Barzal. "It's amazing to practice with him, and if I have the chance to play with him, I'm going to give it my 100% to stay there."
Matt Martin remembers Dufour's skillset from playing a couple of preseason games with the 20-year-old, as well as his impressions on Wednesday morning.
"He uses his body to his advantage and he has a hell of a shot," Martin said of Dufour, who is listed as 6'2, 215 lbs. "He plays a mature game for his age and his size allows him to do that. Smart player, good player and he should be excited."
Dufour's recall is the latest accolade during a year-long ascent. The 2020 fifth-round draft pick (152nd overall) put up 116 points (56G, 60A) for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL in the 2021-22 season. Dufour was named QMJHL MVP and led his team to a Memorial Cup where he was also named the tournament MVP.
"He's had a great year," Lambert said following Wednesday's optional skate. "[Dufour] has had a lot of success, and that breeds confidence, and he's playing well in Bridgeport."

Wednesday would mark Dufour's NHL debut, as well as Cholowski's Islanders debut, should they get in the lineup.
Cholowski has 17 points, all assists, in 35 games played with Bridgeport this season. The 24-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut in 2018 with the Detroit Red Wings, playing in parts of three seasons with the team before being traded to the Washington Capitals and the Seattle Kraken. Last season, Cholowski played in four games with the Kraken (2A) and 31 games with the Charlotte Checkers, picking up 18 points (3G, 15A).
"He's got experience, he's a good skater," Lambert said on what Cholowski can add to the lineup. "He's a puck-moving guy, and we're looking to break pucks out of our own end better."