The Washington Capitals’ informal skates keep drawing more bodies, and Thursday brought another familiar pair onto the ice: the Protas brothers.
Per Monumental Sports Network’s Tarik El-Bashir, Aliaksei and Ilya Protas were back in town and working out at MedStar Capitals Iceplex as the team’s pre-camp sessions continue to expand.
That group has become a pretty loaded mix of established NHL regulars, new faces and prospects. Among those skating are Cole Hutson, Justin Sourdif, Clay Stevenson, Dylan Strome, Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank, Vincent Desharnais, Boone Jenner, Jonny Brodzinski, Matt Roy, Dylan McIlrath, Timothy Liljegren and Martin Fehervary, along with prospects Lynden Lakovic, Terik Parascak, Petr Sikora and Eriks Mateiko.
For Aliaksei Protas, the summer work comes after another strong season. He finished with 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points in 76 games, while continuing to be a force at 5-on-5. That role figures to stay important, both in even-strength play and on special teams, especially with the chance to build chemistry with some of Washington’s newer additions - and, of course, with his younger brother.
Ilya Protas is looking to take the next step this season and make the jump to the NHL full-time. He earned AHL rookie of the year honors after putting up 66 points in 69 games with the Hershey Bears in his first pro season, then got his call to D.C. late last year and responded with four points in four games. He is expected to line up at center.