The American Hockey League has named Hershey Bears forward Ilya Protas as the Upper Deck AHL Rookie of the Month for April. The 19-year-old recorded 11 points in six games with Hershey while also making his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals. Protas led all AHL rookies in scoring this season with 66 points.
Springfield, Mass. — Hershey Bears forward Ilya Protas earned the Upper Deck AHL Rookie of the Month honors for April after a strong performance that included his first NHL games. The American Hockey League announced the award, highlighting Protas's 11 points—two goals and nine assists—in six outings with Hershey. A standout moment came on April 4, when he tallied five assists in an 8-1 victory at Hartford, contributing six points total in that game. Protas also assisted on a goal in his NHL debut with Washington on April 8 and added a goal plus two assists in a 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on April 11 before returning to the Bears. Back with Hershey, he provided two assists in a 5-1 clincher at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on April 15 to secure a Calder Cup Playoff spot, and finished the regular season with a goal and an assist in a 5-4 overtime win against Rochester on April 19. Drafted by Washington in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Protas topped AHL rookies and tied for sixth league-wide with 66 points (29 goals, 37 assists) over 69 games. He led the Bears in goals, points, power-play goals (11) and plus/minus (+17), marking the fourth-highest point total by a teenager in AHL history. This recognition follows his selection to the 2025-26 AHL All-Rookie Team.