With the Capitals missing the postseason, Protas has been reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) to join them for their playoff run. The 19-year-old Protas recently made his NHL debut and was very effective, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in four games. Before that, he had 62 points (28G / 34A) in 66 games with Hershey.
Protas was recalled from the Hershey Bears (AHL) on Monday, and he will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The towering 19-year-old 6'6 forward, a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has been terrific in his first professional season, scoring 62 points (28G / 34A) in 66 games with Hershey.
Protas was selected No.75 overall in this summer's NHL Draft and joins his brother (Aliaksei) in the Capitals' organization. The 17-year-old forward spent the 2024 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), where he was second on the team with 51 points (14G / 37A) in 61 games.
