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Washington Capitals forward Ilya Protas (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)

Ilya Protas to Make NHL Debut With Washington Capitals

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Hayley Paljug | Last updated Apr 8, 2026 10:55 AM ET

The Washington Capitals announced that they have recalled Ilya Protas from the Hershey Bears. Protas, 19, was drafted by the team in 2024 and has been a high-interest prospect in Hershey. The younger brother of forward Aliaksei Protas has been dubbed “Little Pro” by fans, who are ecstatic over his arrival in the NHL. How has Protas performed with the Bears, and what will he bring to the Capitals in the dwindling season?

Protas’ Play Style

When looking at Protas, the first thing to catch your eye would be his sheer size. He stands at a towering 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds at his young age — there is room to grow and bulk up still. He is not afraid to throw around his frame and push opponents out of the way to get net-front and secure the puck. He skates well for his size and creates offense with an intelligence and skill beyond his years. His play style consistently works for him, too, as his production has been a standout all season.

He is the highest-scoring American Hockey League (AHL) rookie this season, and the sixth overall among all players. He is the only rookie to have cracked the top-10 in scoring. He has tallied an impressive 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists) in 66 games, wowing the Capitals’ front office enough to warrant a late-season call-up. Protas brings a young and energized play style to a veteran team. He, alongside other young players like Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard, will bring fresh moves and valuable insight to the team as they make one final playoff push.

"When you're hot, you're hot"

And Ilya Protas is absolutely on FIRE.
Strome
Leason https://t.co/lXwfgL3FCu pic.twitter.com/5q0bqLwT4u
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 21, 2025

He has stood out all season long, even earning the chance to be the team’s AHL All-Star representative and being named the Player of the Week multiple times. He played on the top line alongside other standout talents Andrew Cristall and Bogdan Trineyev for most of the season and found quick and impressive chemistry with them. It is expected that all three will join the Capitals full-time as early as next season.

Excitement for Protas

Both the Capitals organization and its fans have been buzzing over the call-up news. Head coach Spencer Carbery indicated obvious excitement, saying, “I think a couple factors play in, the obvious one being the season that he’s having and how well he’s played of late through this last stretch, but ultimately through the entire season.”

He further explained the reasoning behind the call-up, noting, “the second part, I think, would be, with where we’re at, we’re still fighting and hanging on to stay in this race. I think his coming in at this moment for our team could potentially give us a jolt of energy.”

Washington Capitals forward Ilya Protas (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)

The elder Protas brother was ecstatic for his sibling. “Hard to believe it right now, to be honest,” Aliaksei said. “Looking to the side (on the ice), looking in the gym — camp is one thing, but right now, seeing him get a chance to have a debut tomorrow, maybe, it’s an unbelievable feeling. Just trying to stay focused right now, but it’s a surreal feeling.”

Ilya himself was, understandably, the most excited of the group, noting that the NHL call-up and playing alongside his brother were “definitely a childhood dream come true”. He added, “It’s just unbelievable. I couldn’t believe for a second. I was shaky for a bit. It’s special, for sure. I can’t wait until tomorrow”.

If practice lines stand true for the team’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Protas will be playing alongside his brother and Tom Wilson, two powerful veteran wingers. The trio will be a force, with each of them bringing larger-than-average size and strong physicality alongside consistent scoring abilities.

While the Capitals’ playoff chances are slim, they are not out yet, so perhaps the excitement and buzz around Protas will bring the final energy they need to finish the season in a position to make the postseason. Their final games will be played against the Maple Leafs, twice against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and finally against the Columbus Blue Jackets.