Aliaksei Protas brings NHL experience to Hershey Bears' Calder Cup run
Protas brings NHL experience for Hershey's Calder Cup run originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
HERSHEY, Pa. -- For almost every Washington Capitals player, the offseason began in mid-April following the conclusion of the regular season. The Capitals missed out on the postseason for the first time in nine years, which meant the summer started a lot earlier than many players in the organization were accustomed to.
However, there was one Capital whose season was not over -- yet.
Still eligible to play in the AHL despite suiting up 58 times for the Capitals in 2022-23, Aliaksei Protas rejoined the Hershey Bears for their Calder Cup Playoff run. Protas didn't know until the Capitals' final regular season game that he'd be returning to Hershey, but the 22-year-old was thrilled about the opportunity once finding out.
"I was pretty happy because, unfortunately, we didn't make [the playoffs] there," Protas told NBC Sports Washington. "It'll be a fun time. I was happy to get some playoff time."
It's been just two games since Protas joined the Bears, but he's already made a significant impact. He's recorded at least one point in each of Hershey's first two playoff games, both wins, over the Charlotte Checkers. In Game 1, Protas scored in the first period to give the Bears a multi-goal lead, one they wouldn't relinquish. Then the following day, he tallied two assists in Hershey's 5-1 victory.
"Unreal," Protas said when asked how he feels to be back in Hershey. "Happy to see the guys, a great group of people, a great group of players. We're just having fun together and [we] play for each other. That's why we're really successful right now."
After spending the majority of the 2022-23 season with the Capitals, Protas brings a unique perspective to Hershey. He's far from the only Bears player with NHL experience, but no one in Hershey spent more time with the organization's parent team this season than Protas did.
Head coach Todd Nelson has found instant success placing Protas on the same line as Hendrix Lapierre, one of the Capitals' top prospects, and Sam Anas, who's spent the past seven years playing at the AHL level. The Protas-Lapierre-Anas line has produced three goals in two games, responsible for a large chunk of Hershey's offense this series.
"They have some really good chemistry," Nelson said. "I liked it in practice and it translated to both Game 1 and Game 2. They scored big goals for us in key moments of the game. Protas is a big, strong guy that has skill. Lapierre has good wheels and is a pretty creative thinker. And Sammy, he's really creative. He's been around the league and adds a veteran presence to the line. I like that line combination. It won't be broken up, that's for sure."
One area of Protas' game that's been highlighted since arriving in Hershey has been his on-ice communication, according to Lapierre. "Pro and Sam like to talk a lot, so you're on the same page all the time," he said.
Despite the early success, Lapierre still feels the line can elevate to another level, too.
Although Protas is only two years older than Lapierre, the latter feels he's been able to learn a ton from playing alongside the former -- even in the limited ice time they've had together.
"Pro just brings a little bit of everything," Lapierre said. "He's got a really good shot, good speed for his size. He's very intelligent. He's fun to play with, he makes great plays. ... He's very good, obviously, he played [in the] NHL this year, so he's got that experience and kind of knows what it takes, even if he's young. He's just making life easy for me. He's got a lot of attributes and it's fun to play with him."
At 6-foot-6 and 225 lbs., Protas has the build to be one of the most physical players every time he steps on the ice. Yet with the Bears, Protas isn't necessarily placing an emphasis on that part of his game.
"I'm just playing hockey," he said. "It's the AHL, so I've got to be more physical a little bit, but I'm just trying to play hockey and produce with the boys. For me, it's more important sometimes to just get the puck than to just be physical. When I can make a takeaway in the O-zone, sometimes it's more important for me than to take the hits. I just try to mix it up."
With the Bears poised to make a lengthy Calder Cup run, Protas understands he has the chance to make a lasting impression on the Capitals' organization with his play throughout the playoffs. With added responsibility in Hershey, his goal is to simply "exceed expectations."
Once the Bears season does end, Protas said he will return to Belarus to train this summer before returning to Washington for training camp. He plans to focus on his lower body, with the goal of building up strength while also getting faster. Although he was pleased with his performance at the NHL level this year, Protas understands he still has plenty of room to improve.
"Still a long way to go, so much work ahead of me," he said. "I got the summer to work again and to show I deserve to stay with the team and to be there. I have so much work ahead of me, for sure."
