The Washington Capitals announced on Sunday morning that they have recalled forward Aliaksei Protas and defenseman Dylan McIlrath. Both players were returned to Hershey (paper move) on Friday, March 3, by the 3PM deadline, making them eligible for the AHL postseason.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Aliaksei Protas and defenseman Dylan McIlrath 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 43 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 76 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.
McIlrath, 30, has recorded one assist in six games with the Capitals this season. The 6’5”, 232-pound defenseman made his Capitals debut on Feb. 16 against the Florida Panthers and recorded his first point as a Capital on March 1 against the Anaheim Ducks. The Hershey captain has recorded 10 assists in 44 games with the Bears this season and leads the team in penalty minutes (83).
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has played 72 career NHL games with the Capitals, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings, recording six points (3g, 3a) and 128 penalty minutes. In 544 career AHL games with Hershey, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Springfield and Connecticut, McIlrath has recorded 110 points (27g, 83a) and 1,085 penalty minutes. McIlrath was selected by the Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, in the 2010 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.
Protas recorded two goals in three games played during his stint in Hershey before being recalled again by Washington on February 10. Protas was once again re-assigned to Hershey on February 21, but saw no game action. He was recalled to the Capitals on February 24.