""In a perfect world, especially in the American League, and trying to get these players the best opportunity to play their game, a veteran with two young guys or a young guy with two veterans, that would be helpful," King told RMNB on Thursday."
""I'm really excited," Ilya Protas said. "It's going to be fun. Can't wait.""
Three Washington Capitals prospects—Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, and Eriks Mateiko—make AHL debuts for the Hershey Bears against the Syracuse Crunch in the 2025-26 regular-season opener at Giant Center. Cristall will skate left wing on the first line with veterans Henrik Rybinski and Ethen Frank. Protas will center Ivan Miroshnichenko and Sheldon Rempal on the second line. Mateiko will skate between Graeme Clarke and Bogdan Trineyev. Head coach Derek King experimented with line combinations to pair rookies with veteran presences and optimize playing opportunities. Mateiko scored the game-winning goal for Latvia to upset Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship. Protas is enthusiastic and eager to play.
Read at RMNB
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