Protas Playing His Game Whether In NHL or AHL

HERSHEY, Pa. - One of the reasons defenseman Alex Alexeyev was anxious to get back to Washington following a rehab stint in Hershey earlier this season was to potentially find a house with Belarusan forward Alaiksei Protas, who had found a spot in Washington's lineup early this season thanks to injuries.

However, shortly after Alexeyev returned to Washington, the Capitals injured forwards returned to the lineup - prompting Washington to send the 6'6 winger back to Hershey since he is waiver-exempt.

While many players might be upset at being sent "down" to the American Hockey League (AHL), Protas took it in stride, helping prank one of his linemates, Garrett Pilon, by sitting down to an interview, looking at Pilon and saying, "This interview is entirely in Russian," with a straight face.

Pilon's face went white as the interview began briefly in Russian, with Protas eventually telling Pilon he was just kidding.

Editor's Note: Backstory - Our Hershey correspondent, Julie Beidler, was told at the tail end of the 2021-22 season by now-Capitals defenseman Alex Alexeyev that she wouldn't be able to learn how to speak Russian, so she did and asked Alexeyev some questions in Russian earlier this season when he returned to Hershey on a conditioning loan.

In fact, Protas, like many other players, noted that the atmosphere in Hershey and the fans are a big part of why guys want to play hockey in Chocolate Town.

"There are just great fans, you know, great atmosphere, great team with great people, and great players. That's the biggest thing probably, and a real tight group that will fight for each other and play for each other," Protas said of what makes Hershey special.

Protas, who made Washington's opening night roster, appeared in 41 games before returning to Hershey for the first time. During that stint, Protas appeared in five games, recording three assists. In that span, Protas and Pilon were centered with Connor McMichael - McMichael himself having been sent back to Hershey after becoming a healthy scratch in Washington. And while some would think there is a vast difference between the two leagues, Protas feels a bit differently.

"I don't think it's like, a big difference," Protas said. "Here I get to play with real fast skilled guys, so I think nothing changes for me. I have to just keep working hard out here. We have a pretty good team here, so I just have to compete every night."

But then, Washington recalled Protas for the second time. He appeared in one game before returning to Hershey where he re-joined Pilon on a line and scored goals in two of the three games he played before the AHL's All-Star Break.

"I mean, because this guy [Pilon] is sort of smart player and fun to play with, I still think we [will] get better, especially like defensively, because I mean, we haven't played [together] for a while - almost ever," Protas said, noting that he and Pilon previously played together when Protas first came to Hershey at the end of the 2020-2021 season.

"So we just have to get used to each other and probably play with each other in different situations. So I still feel we [will] get better."

Unfortunately, it seems as if this is going to be the season where Protas has to continue to adapt to change as opposed to getting used to his linemates as the Capitals announced Friday that they had recalled Protas once again.

His coach in Hershey, Todd Nelson, was tasked with providing an atmosphere that allowed prospects to adjust to playing in both leagues.

"We're going to try our best to make sure we utilize everybody that's here, and with that being said, once again, try and develop that chemistry, you know, they can play a bit different than Washington does. So for the guy's approach that comes down, you know, we have to work with them with their system work. It's not entirely different, but we have to tweak some of the things."

And while the sweater and location may change a bit more for Protas this year, one thing is for sure - he has the attitude and ability to fit into whatever situation may be coming his way.