Hershey Bears get a spark in lineup just in time for the Calder Cup Playoffs
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
The Hershey Bears received some good news on Friday ahead of their Calder Cup Playoff run.
The Washington Capitals prospect is set to join the AHL's Hershey Bears for the beginning of their 2025 Calder Cup Playoff run, following the end of his rookie OHL season with the Windsor Spitfires earlier this week.
Chris Cerullo from RMNB writes that Protas and the Spitfires suffered a stunning collapse in the second round of the OHL playoffs, getting reverse swept by the Kitchener Rangers after taking a 3-0 series lead and then dropping four straight games.
"The Spitfires announced Friday that Protas, linemate Liam Greentree, and forward AJ Spellacy have all been «called up» to the AHL." -Cerullo
Cerullo also writes that the 18-year-old forward was recently honored with the William Hanley Trophy, awarded each year to the OHL's most sportsmanlike player. His impressive stretch of six consecutive multi-point games in March also earned him OHL Player of the Month honors.
Protas delivered a phenomenal rookie season, finishing second in league scoring with 124 points (50 goals, 74 assists) in just 61 games.
He carried that momentum into the playoffs, topping the postseason scoring charts with 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 12 games through the second round.
"Protas signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals after completing last July's development camp. The 2024 third-round pick will join a Bears team that has seen fellow Caps prospects Ryan Chesley, David Gucciardi, Leon Muggli, Terik Parascak, Ludwig Persson, and Alexander Suzdalev all join their roster ahead of postseason action." -Cerullo
The Bears secured a first-round bye in this year's playoffs and are waiting to see who they'll face in the Atlantic Division Semifinals.
Hershey is aiming to become just the second team in AHL history to win three consecutive Calder Cups.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 25 | 74 ANSWERS Hershey Bears get a spark in lineup just in time for the Calder Cup Playoffs Do you think Ilya Protas has a future in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 70 | 94.6 % |
| no | 4 | 5.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
