Ilya
Protas
L · WSH
- WAR
- 0.0
- PTS
- 4
2025-26№ 379 / 615
Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Ilya Protas
#62LPlays: Centre and left wing · 73% of faceoffs
Washington Capitals
HEIGHT : 198 cm · WEIGHT : 104 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : July 17, 2006 · Vitebsk, Belarus
Drafted : 2024 · WSH · round 3, pick #75
Contract : $889,167 · 2024-25 → 2028-29 · Entry-Level Contract · RFA · Signing bonus $97,500
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Washington Capitals | 15 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Washington Capitals | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 19 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | |
Ilya Protas: our analysis
2025-26 season: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, +1 +/-, 15:54 TOI. WAR 0.0 (379th of 615).
Ilya Protas is in his first season in the league. In 2025-26, He his WAR of 0.0 ranks 379th among 615 regulars, in the bottom half.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), no component is positive; the costliest: penalties (-0.2).
Ilya Protas's story
Protas made his mark quickly after arriving in North American junior hockey, showing a mix of skating and playmaking that drew attention. He began his junior career in 2023 with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, playing 61 games and collecting 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists). That season led to his selection at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, when the Washington Capitals picked him 75th overall.
Rather than lingering in one league, Protas moved to the Ontario Hockey League for 2024–25 with the Windsor Spitfires and produced an outstanding offensive season. Across 61 games he scored 50 goals and added 74 assists for 124 points, then posted 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 12 playoff contests. Those totals underscored his consistent scoring touch and his ability to contribute in both the regular season and postseason.
He turned professional in 2025–26 with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. In 66 AHL games he notched 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists) and earned a call-up to Washington on April 6, 2026. His NHL debut came on April 8, 2026, when he recorded his first NHL point in a 4–0 win over Toronto; three days later he scored his first NHL goal in a 6–3 victory against Pittsburgh. After four NHL games (one goal, three assists), he was loaned back to Hershey on April 15, 2026.
His rookie professional season drew formal recognition when he won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award on April 23, 2026, given to the AHL rookie of the year. Hockey runs in the family: his older brother, Aliaksei, had been drafted by the Capitals in 2019. On the ice, Protas is defined by his offensive instincts — a combination of goal-scoring sense and the playmaking ability to set up teammates.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 11:13
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:37
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:03
- Pts/GP
- 0.40
- EV points
- 5
- Hits
- 5
- Blocks
- 10
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 54.2 %
- Off. zone starts
- 35.5 %
- Faceoffs
- 48.5 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Prospect value
Scout Report Center →Rank
77
among all 32 teams' prospects
Rating
93/ 100
percentile among prospects at his position
Potential
65/ 80
Top six or top four
Ceiling: 8.5 WAR from age 21 to 26
NHL probability
67 %
of playing 200 NHL games from age 21 to 26
Expected WAR, age 21-26
3.6
the most likely outcome
NHLe
36
NHL points over 82 games, from 2025-26 (AHL, 69 games)
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.0
wins above replacement
-0.2 to 0.4 — 90% interval
379 of 615 forwards
+0.0 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.0
- EV defense
- -0.0
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +0.1
- Penalties
- -0.2
- Average → replacement
- +0.2
In goals.
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 125.5 km/h25th percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.2 km/h24th percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1439th percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 43.2 %63rd percentileleague avg. 43.0 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 44.2 km35th percentileleague avg. 53.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 3.63 km21st percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.5 %75th percentileleague avg. 41.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 19.2 %93rd percentileleague avg. 18.7 %
- Defensive zone time
- 37.7 %74th percentileleague avg. 38.3 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1231st percentile | 139th percentile | 8.3 %20th percentile |
| High danger | 645th percentile | 033rd percentile | 0.0 %10th percentile |
| Mid range | 441st percentile | 176th percentile | 25.0 %89th percentile |
| Long range | 153rd percentile | 092nd percentile | 0.0 %86th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
FLA
DAL
MIN
NSH
PHI
BUF
LAK
NJD
MTL
CAR
SEA
NYR
PIT
TBLIlya Protas: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Ilya Protas have in 2026-27?
Ilya Protas has 1 goal and 6 points (5 assists) in 15 games in 2026-27.
How old is Ilya Protas?
Ilya Protas is 20 years old: he was born on July 18, 2006.
How tall is Ilya Protas, and how much does he weigh?
Ilya Protas is 6'6" (198 cm) and weighs 229 lb (104 kg).
Where is Ilya Protas from?
Belarus: Ilya Protas was born in Vitebsk, Belarus.
What team does Ilya Protas play for?
Ilya Protas plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL, at L, wearing number 62.
Is Ilya Protas injured?
No: Ilya Protas is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Ilya Protas?
Ilya Protas produced 0.0 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 379th of 615 players at his position in the NHL.
How much does Ilya Protas make?
Ilya Protas carries a cap hit of $889K per season, on a contract worth $3.0M in total over 3 years.
When does Ilya Protas's contract end?
Ilya Protas's contract runs through the 2028-29 season; he will then be a restricted free agent.
Is Ilya Protas a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 379th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has Ilya Protas played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Ilya Protas has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists).
What are Ilya Protas's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Ilya Protas has 19 games, 2 goals, 8 assists and 10 points. His best season: 2026-27, with 6 points in 15 games.
Where was Ilya Protas drafted?
Ilya Protas was drafted 75th overall (round 3) by Washington Capitals in 2024.
How does Ilya Protas perform in the playoffs?
Ilya Protas has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
Does Ilya Protas have siblings?
Yes: his brother Aliaksei Protas (drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round in 2019).
What is Ilya Protas's nationality?
Ilya Protas is Belarusian.
What awards has Ilya Protas won?
Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award — AHL rookie of the year (2026).
Where did Ilya Protas play before turning pro?
Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), 2023; Windsor Spitfires (OHL), 2024–25.
See also: his Washington Capitals teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)