The Washington Capitals signed Ilya Protas to a three year, entry-level contract after the completion of Development Camp, Saturday.
The news was first announced by Ilya’s agency, Gold Star Sports Management Group, which also represents his older brother Aliaksei Protas.
The Capitals confirmed the signing hours later.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ilya Protas to a three-year entry-level contract. Protas’ contract will carry an average annual value of $889,167.#ALLCAPS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 6, 2024
According to PuckPedia, Protas’s cap hit will be $889k and the young forward will make $975k annually.
The #ALLCAPS signed '24 #75 pick Ilya Protas to 3 year ELC
Year 1 775K NHL, 97.5K Signing Bonus, 102.5K GP Bonus
Year 2 & 3 800/97.5/77.5Cap Hit 889K, AAV 975K
Rep'd by @HockeyAgent1 @GoldStarHockey https://t.co/rjIm0MzrWi
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 6, 2024
The Capitals also came to an agreement with Cam Allen on an entry-level contract.
Ilya is coming off his first Capitals’ Devlopment Camp where he impressed with his skating and skill. The 17-year-old forward was a part of the victorious team that won the Capitals’ three-on-three tournament on the final day of camp, which included Ryan Leonard and Terik Parascak.
The Capitals ended up with Ilya in the organization after a Draft Day deal with the New Jersey Devils. The Capitals traded a third and a fifth-round pick for the opportunity to move up and select “Little Pro” 75th overall in the third round. Aliaksei and his wife was in the crowd when the selection was made.
Protas was ranked as the 49th-best North American-based skater in this year’s draft by NHL Central Scouting.
The 6-foot-5 winger played for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers last season and put up 51 points (14g, 37a) in 61 games — good for second most on the team. 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).
“It’s a special moment, special day for me and my family,” Ilya said after being selected. “I don’t have words to explain. I’m just happy to in this organization.
“I just wanted to be in the same organization as my brother,” he said.
“He [got] out of the comfort zone and moved to the USHL and he showed his work ethic,” Aliaksei, who was in attendance at the draft, added. “He showed he’s a great teammate. I know it. I see it. Boys really happy to have him in Des Moines. And he’s a great teammate. So happy for him. He’s done a great job adjusting to North America. I’m so proud of him.
“I think he’s real smart,” he added “I love how he plays in stressful situations, like when it’s tied game and tied situation in the battles. I love his decisions. He’s done great job improving his skating. Still got a long way to go. I’m so happy and proud of the job he’s done this season. It’s time for him to keep it going.”
Ilya will likely spend next season in the Ontario Hockey League after he was selected third overall in the CHL Import Draft by the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.
Before leaving Washington for the summer, Ilya could be seen walking into the Capitals Team Store at the team’s practice facility to get some merch. He now has even more reason to rock the Weagle this summer.
Here’s the press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Sign Ilya Protas
2024 third-round pick signs three-year entry-level contract
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ilya Protas to a three-year entry-level contract, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Protas’ contract will carry an average annual value of $889,167.
The Capitals selected Protas, 17, with the 75th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6’5”, 198-pound forward recorded 51 points (14g, 37a) in 37 games with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2023-24 season. Protas led USHL rookies in assists and ranked tied for second among first-year players in power-play goals (6) and third in points. In addition, Protas led Des Moines in assists and power-play goals, while his 51 points ranked second on the team.
The Minsk, Belarus native split the 2022-23 season with the Under-17 and Under-18 Belarus national team, recording 34 points (19g, 15a) in 29 games with the Under-17s and nine points (5g, 4a) in 10 games with the Under-18s. Ilya’s older brother, Aliaksei, was drafted by the Capitals in the third round (91st overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft and has recorded 53 points (13g, 40a) in 169 career NHL games with Washington. Aliaksei and Ilya Protas are the second set of brothers in franchise history to be selected by Washington, joining Yvon Corriveau (19th overall, 1985) and Rick Corriveau (168th overall, 1991).
Protas was ranked ninth among North American left wings and 49th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
