Aliaksei Protas Bio
Aliaksei Uladzimiravich Protas is a Belarusian professional ice hockey winger who plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Born on January 6, 2001, in Vitebsk, Belarus, he skates as a forward and has been a regular contributor for the Capitals since making his league debut. Protas was selected 91st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and previously played major junior hockey for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 250 pounds, Protas combines size with offensive skill, allowing him to play in all situations for his club. He has also represented Belarus at the international junior level, suiting up at two World Junior Championships.
Early Life and Background
Aliaksei Protas was born in Vitebsk, a city in northeastern Belarus known for producing several notable hockey players. He grew up in a sporting environment and began playing organized hockey at a young age in his hometown. His early development in Belarus laid the foundation for a career that would eventually take him across North America.
As a teenager, Protas moved to Denver, Colorado, to play youth hockey for the Colorado Evolution program for a single season. The experience of competing in the United States broadened his game before he returned home. Back in Belarus, he spent two seasons with the Belarus U17 team that competed in the Vysshaya Liga, the country’s second-tier professional league. Those appearances against grown men helped accelerate his transition to North American major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Protas first drew widespread attention during his time with the Belarus U17 program, where he competed in a professional-level league at a young age. His performances caught the eye of scouts in the Canadian Hockey League, and in 2018 he was selected 26th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the CHL Import Draft. The selection marked his official entry into the North American development pathway.
Joining the Raiders for the 2018–19 season, Protas produced 40 points in 61 games, a strong return for a first-year import player. Heading into the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the 30th-best North American skater. The Washington Capitals chose him in the third round, 91st overall, beginning his professional career trajectory.
Aliaksei Protas Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Protas spent two full seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League. In his draft year, he established himself as a reliable two-way forward and one of the top European players in the circuit. The 2019–20 WHL campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Protas still managed 80 points in 58 games, ranking ninth in league scoring and finishing as the highest-scoring European player in the WHL that season.
Following his strong junior showing, Protas made his professional debut with HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League during the 2020–21 season. He recorded 18 points in 58 regular-season games and added 4 points in 5 playoff contests, gaining valuable experience in a top European men’s league.
Washington Capitals Debut (2021–2023)
After Minsk’s season ended, Protas was reassigned to the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, to continue his development. The following year he earned his first call-up to the NHL. On November 28, 2021, Protas scored his first career NHL goal during a 4–2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, a memorable milestone in his rookie season.
Protas split time between Washington and Hershey during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, gradually earning more responsibility at the NHL level. His combination of size, skating, and playmaking made him a valuable bottom-six forward who could also contribute offensively.
Washington Capitals Breakthrough (2023–2024)
During the 2023–24 season, Protas emerged as a consistent top-nine forward for the Capitals. He posted career-best numbers to that point and became a fixture on one of Washington’s scoring lines. On January 19, 2024, the Capitals rewarded his progress with a five-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $3.375 million through the 2028–29 season.
The new deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his continued growth. He finished the season among Washington’s more reliable point producers and entered the following campaign with a clearly defined top-six role.
Washington Capitals Era (2024–Present)
The 2024–25 season marked Protas’s clearest breakout at the NHL level. He set new career highs across the board, finishing with 30 goals, 36 assists, and 66 points. On March 11, 2025, he recorded his first career hat trick in a 7–4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, highlighting his growing confidence and scoring touch.
Protas has become a regular contributor on the Capitals’ top scoring lines and a key piece of the team’s offensive core. His blend of size, speed, and skill has made him one of the more intriguing young forwards in the Metropolitan Division.
Driving Style and Strengths
Protas is recognized for his combination of size and skill. Standing 6 feet 6 inches, he protects the puck well along the boards and wins battles in the offensive zone. His straight-line speed and reach allow him to separate from defenders, while his vision makes him effective as both a shooter and a playmaker. Coaches have praised his two-way responsibility and willingness to play in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Protas’s most notable milestones are his first NHL goal on November 28, 2021, against Carolina and his first career hat trick on March 11, 2025, against Anaheim. His five-year contract extension in January 2024 and his 66-point breakout in 2024–25 further cement his standing as a key piece of Washington’s long-term plans.
Aliaksei Protas Career Wins
While individual trophies have not been a focal point of Protas’s career to date, he has accumulated several notable achievements and statistical milestones. His breakthrough 2024–25 campaign, in which he set career highs in goals, assists, and points, stands as his most decorated season so far.
NHL Highlights
Protas has recorded his first NHL goal, first career hat trick, and a five-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals. He also set a new career-high point total in 2024–25, finishing with 66 points. He has represented Belarus at two World Junior Championships.
Junior and International Performances
In the Western Hockey League, Protas was the highest-scoring European player during the 2019–20 season, finishing ninth in league scoring with 80 points in 58 games. Internationally, he has represented Belarus at the World Junior Championships.
Aliaksei Protas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Protas comes from a Belarusian family with ties to ice hockey, though detailed information about his parents has not been publicly verified.
Personal Life
Protas’s younger brother, Ilya, was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, making the Protas siblings a rare pair of brothers on the same NHL roster.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season represented a major step forward for Aliaksei Protas. He produced career-best numbers in goals, assists, and points, establishing himself as a top-six forward for the Washington Capitals. His hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks in March 2025 underscored his finishing ability.
Over the second half of the season, Protas drove play at five-on-five and contributed on the power play, helping stabilize Washington’s forward group. His chemistry with linemates and improved shot generation pointed to a player still on the rise.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Protas is expected to remain a central figure in the Capitals’ offense and continue building on his breakout totals.