Ilya Protas is set to begin his professional career after recording 124 points (50g, 74a) in 61 OHL games with the Windsor Spitfires, finishing second in league scoring. A third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals following development camp. He trained in Belarus alongside his older brother, Aliaksei Protas, who posted a career-best 66 points in 76 games for the Capitals. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery gave Ilya an NHL preseason debut alongside Aliaksei. Ilya recognizes he must improve to earn an NHL roster spot and expects tougher defensive attention.
Ilya has an important summer in this regard,
The guy still has something to work on. He is already an adult and understands perfectly well that in order to get into a stronger league, he needs to sweat seriously in the locker room and on the ice.
I think that everything just worked out well for me, I managed to perform effectively and usefully, but at the same time, I clearly understand that it will be more difficult now. And the defenders will look at me differently and act tougher. For my part, I want to prove to everyone that the regular season was not a coincidence.
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