The Washington Capitals traded up in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft to select Ilya Protas, the little brother of current Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas, with the 75th overall selection.
Protas is a Belorussian left wing who played his draft-year hockey with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. Washington sent their third-round pick (82nd overall) and their fifth-round pick (146th overall) to the New Jersey Devils to pick Protas.
With the 75th pick, acquired from New Jersey, in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals are proud to select Ilya Protas! #CapsDraft | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/VLSI5G0R4C
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2024
The younger Protas put up 51 points (14g, 37a) in 61 games for the Buccaneers, the second-highest total on the club. He was named to the USHL’s All-Rookie First Team, led all USHL rookies in assists (37), and tied for second in total power-play goals (6).
Protas is a huge forward just like his older brother, standing at 6-foot-4-inches tall. He was ranked as the 49th-best North American-based skater in this year’s draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Aliaksei was present at the draft and gave his brother a big hug once the pick was announced. Ilya has already spent some time hanging out with Aliaksei and Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin this offseason.
Washington has often selected relatives of present or former NHLers in recent drafts. For example, Ryan Leonard (2023), Dru Krebs (2021), Riley Sutter (2018), and Lucas Johansen (2016) all had brothers or cousins playing in the NHL when they were selected by Washington.
