The Washington Capitals announced on Friday afternoon that they have recalled forward Aliaksei Protas from AHL Hershey. Protas was re-assigned to Hershey just prior to the start of the Capitals All-Star break and bye week.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Aliaksei Protas from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Protas, 22, has recorded 10 points (3g, 7a) in 42 games with Washington this season. The 6’6″, 235-pound forward appeared in 33 games with Washington during the 2021-22 season, ranking second among Capitals rookies in plus/minus (+4) and third in points (9). In 75 career NHL games with the Capitals, Protas has recorded 19 points (6g, 13a).
In eight games with Hershey this season, Protas has recorded five points (2g, 3a). The Vitebsk, Belarus native recorded 24 points (8g, 16a) in 42 games with the Bears in 2021-22, establishing AHL career highs in goals, assists, points and power play goals (2) and earning Hershey’s Rookie of the Year award. Protas has recorded 36 points (12g, 24a) in 66 career AHL games with Hershey.
The Capitals selected Protas with their third-round pick, 91st overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Protas, who is waivers-exempt, started the season with the Capitals, but was sent to Hershey on January 7. He recorded no goals and three assists in five games played with the Bears before returning to Washington.
Protas was recalled by the Capitals on January 18 in time for the Capitals western road trip and played in one game against (Colorado Avalanche) prior to to be re-assigned to Hershey on February 1.
The Viper Strikes! Hendrix Lapierre with a beautiful backhanded centering pass to Aliaksei Protas who sticks it out of the air. Bears trail 4-2 late.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bZTJl9fmDg
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 2, 2023
Protas recorded two goals in three games played during his most recent stint in Hershey.
By Jon Sorensen