"Hockey players are no stranger to bridging the language gap. With more than a dozen countries represented across the NHL, learning English is often a vital part of adjusting to the league. But for Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, the flow of knowledge is going the other way. Thompson has started to pick up some Russian, enlisting Aliaksei Protas as a tutor. Protas, who hails from from Vitebsk, Belarus, was all to happy to oblige."
"The Capitals once had a sizable Russian-speaking contingent, with five players on the team as recently as 2023. But after the departures of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, and Alex Alexeyev, Protas and Alex Ovechkin are the only two left. "He just started to ask questions and some simple stuff," Protas said. "And just for fun, he's asking sometimes something. He forgets it maybe 10 seconds after, but he's trying.""
"Now, they sit side-by-side in the Capitals' locker room, and their friendship is obvious even to an outside observer. Thompson has been known to prank Protas during his media scrums, whether posing as a reporter or throwing towels to distract him during an interview. He also regularly tags along with Protas and Ovechkin for meals on the road."
Logan Thompson has begun learning Russian from teammate Aliaksei Protas, who gives brief lessons and teaches simple phrases. Protas is from Vitebsk, Belarus, and agreed to help when Thompson asked. The Capitals' Russian-speaking group has dwindled, leaving Protas and Alex Ovechkin as the primary Russian speakers after several departures. Thompson and Protas developed a friendship in 2019 when they roomed at a development camp, and Protas warmly welcomed Thompson after the 2024 acquisition. The pair share locker-room time, road meals with Ovechkin, playful pranks, and contributed to Washington's on-ice success last season.
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