Alex Ovechkin has shown his leadership capabilities countless times, both on and off the ice, during his 20-season NHL career.
However, for a young Aliaksei Protas, one thing Ovechkin did mostly unrelated to hockey is what sticks out to him. Protas chatted about the instance from earlier in his career in a recent interview with Sport-Express’ Igor Rabiner.
“One time I needed to go to Hershey, to the farm club, and he gave me his car,” Protas said to Sport-Express as translated via Google Translate. “There were a lot of moments [he helped me in everyday life].”
Protas spent time with both the Washington Capitals and the AHL’s Hershey Bears during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns. He likely needed the loaner Ovi mobile to make the nearly two-and-a-half-hour drive to Hershey from Washington after a demotion from the Caps.
The now 24-year-old Belorussian was a part of the 2023 Calder Cup champion Bears before graduating full-time to the NHL the following season. He played 67 total games with Hershey over the course of three seasons, recording 36 points (12g, 24a).
Outside of having a collection of cars that he’ll lend out on a whim, Ovechkin has become a guiding presence overall for the team’s younger players. Protas credits him for helping him grow as a player and adjust to North America.
“He is not only a great hockey player, but also a great leader of the locker room – for everyone, not just for Russian-speaking players,” Protas said. “Sasha often encourages us, gives advice, can spur us on both during the game and in everyday situations, he is a great help. I would also like to mention Dima Orlov… and Zhenya Kuznetsov. They really helped us, the young ones, to adapt here, to get used to this hockey.”
Protas admits he was initially nervous to approach Ovechkin and introduce himself during his first training camp with the Capitals, but the legendary winger’s jovial attitude seemingly helped break the ice rather quickly. While Ovechkin has toned down some of his antics as he’s matured, the legendary winger still finds plenty of time to joke around with his teammates.
“Sasha radiates positive energy,” Protas said. “He charges people! It is enough to take all these funny rituals with the guys before the game, which you probably know from the (tunnel) videos. They always lift the mood.”
Barking Bandz#ALLCAPS | @CaesarsSports pic.twitter.com/pdDzha3vBK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 7, 2025
This season, Protas is having a career-best year, tied for second on the Capitals in scoring with 61 points (29g, 32a) in 69 games. While not all the credit can be given to Ovechkin for helping fuel Protas’s breakout campaign, the Caps captain deserves some of it for making Pro’s life easier as he developed in the organization.
