Overview
- The AHL announced Thursday that Hershey Bears center Ilya Protas won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the league’s top rookie.
- Hershey closed a two-game sweep of Bridgeport after Protas scored an empty-netter in Game 1 and set up the opener in Game 2.
- The 19-year-old led all AHL rookies with 66 points in 69 games and paced Hershey in goals, power-play goals, plus-minus, and shots.
- After a recall to Washington in early April, he debuted in the NHL and posted four points in four games before returning for the Calder Cup run.
- Protas is only the second Bear to earn this award after Ron Hextall in 1985–86, and some outlets project he could make the Capitals next season.