ARLINGTON, VA — After a strong start to the season in net, Logan Thompson is branching out into media duties as well.
Thompson joined reporters during Aliaksei Protas’ media scrum after practice Tuesday morning, taking on mic-holding duties while waiting for Protas in the locker room.
With Thompson listening in, NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti jokingly asked Protas how much he owed his recent success to Thompson’s help.
“Nothing, like zero,” Protas said as Thompson hung his head “Zero. Absolutely zero.”
We’ve got a new addition to the media corps today! Logan Thompson jumped in for some mic-holding duties while waiting for Aliaksei Protas in the locker room@TomGulittiNHL jokingly asked how much Thompson had contributed to Protas’ recent success. pic.twitter.com/VWQyCy84nS
— Katie Adler (@katieEadler) November 5, 2024
Protas and Thompson’s friendship dates back to their time as roommates at Capitals Development Camp in 2019. When the Capitals traded for Thompson at the 2024 NHL Draft, Protas — in town to see his brother Ilya get drafted — was one of the first to welcome Thompson to the team.
The pair have grown closer since arriving in Washington this fall, with Thompson regularly waiting for Protas in the locker room after practice. When Protas stayed out for extra work on Tuesday, an impatient Thompson jokingly yelled at him to get off the ice before joining in the scrum when Protas eventually returned to the locker room.
Both players have put up hot starts to the 2023-24 season. Protas’ 11 points (7g, 5a) rank fourth on the team as he’s found success on the team’s top line, while Thompson holds a perfect 5-0-0 record in his first games for the Caps.