I saw Ilya Protus has been moved to Hershey now that his OHL playoffs are done. He absolutely tore up the OHL this year...50G 74A in 61 games is crazy
So i don't know how the age thing works - he is 18, and I don't follow the minors much. Will he play Hershey next year do you think? I can't see OHL doing him any good again next year.
Also noticed he will wear brother Alexai's number in Hershey (#40)
OK - A rule I THOUGHT I knew is that at the beginning of a season, someone under 20 with an affiliation with the Canadian Junior Leagues has only two choices: They must either play in Juniors for the entire season, or play in the NHL - they cannot play in a minor league. The exception at the beginning of the season is that an under 20 player can be given a trial of up to 9 games at the NHL, after which his team either has to keep him on the NHL roster or return him to juniors for the remainder of that year.
BUT there is a lot I don't know.
(1) The rule doesn't apply to European players playing in European Junior or Minor leagues. But I think it does apply to European players (which Protas obviously is) who commit to playing in the Canadian Junior Leagues. But I'm not sure about that.
(2) What happens AFTER the Junior season is over? I think a player can move to a minor league team on a tryout contract, or something, and still be eligible to go back to Juniors the next year. But again, I'm not sure.
(3) Protas is now listed on the Hershey active roster, which I guess means he COULD play. But I'm wondering if he hasn't been brought up to sit on the bench and absorb the professional atmosphere. I really can't envision him being thrown into the AHL playoffs cold like this.
Is Cristall still active in the Juniors playoffs? I think he is. If so, that is why he isn't in Hershey as well, and I wonder if he might be added once his Junior season ends. He is 20, so Juniors restrictions no longer apply to him. Keep in mind, Cristall had what I understand was a great training camp last fall, and may well have a shot of making the Caps' roster next season. But if he doesn't, I presume he will play in Hershey.
NOTE: I just looked up Spokane, Cristall's current team and he is going crazy in the playoffs, 17 goals and 33 points in 12 games. He is on a line with Berkly Catton, #8 draftee in 2024, that is pulverizing Junior hockey. Spokane isn't invincible - their defense isn't very good - but I guess they are going to blast their way through opponents. Also, I noticed that Cristall is still listed on the Spokane roster page as 5'10" but they have his weight as 183, up from the 167 he is listed at on the Caps' prospects page. Obviously, that isn't huge, but it's as heavy as McMichael and LaPierre, and he is more compactly built, so given the nature of the NHL game today, I don't think size is going to be a detriment to him going forward.
