Ilya Protas continued tearing up the OHL on Sunday night, starring in the Windsor Spitfires’ 5-2 win over the Brampton Steelheads.
The 18-year-old winger recorded three points (2g, 1a) in the victory, improving his season totals to 74 points (32g, 42a) in 41 games. Protas has multiple points in 18 games this season and has been particularly hot since the OHL’s holiday break, posting 29 points (13g, 16a) in his last 11 games.
Protas’ first goal on Sunday was an absolutely ridiculous individual effort while killing a penalty early in the third period. The Washington Capitals prospect dangled around a Steelheads defenseman and outwaited goaltender Jack Ivankovic for a finish just 53 seconds into the final frame.
Little Pro’s second goal was also a beauty and came on the opposite side of the special teams matchup. With 2:17 remaining in the third period, Protas unleashed a wicked power-play snipe over Ivankovic’s shoulder from the left faceoff circle.
Protas added a secondary assist on another shorthanded goal scored by his regular linemate, Liam Greentree. The big Belorussian winger was named the Third Star of the Night.
Protas is third in the OHL in scoring with 74 points. His 32 goals are also tied for fourth in the league. Protas is on pace for 114 points (49g, 65a), assuming he plays the remainder of Windsor’s 22 regular season games.
If Protas were to reach the 114-point mark, it’d be the 51st-best season in OHL history by an 18-year-old. The feat would be even more impressive, considering this is Protas’ first year in the league and only his second in North America.
For an unheralded NHL third-round pick, this production is rare. Protas is on pace to outscore household NHL names like Corey Perry, Dylan Strome, Tyler Toffoli, Matthew Tkachuk, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Travis Konecny, Nick Suzuki, Jordan Kyrou, Andre Burakovsky, Jason Robertson, Vincent Trocheck, Carter Verhaeghe, and Jared McCann in their age-18 OHL seasons.
