Raiders' Protas Named WHL Rookie of the Month
Published on April 30, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that forward Aliaksei Protas of the Prince Albert Raiders has been named WHL Rookie of the Month for April 2019.
Protas recorded 11 points (9G-2A) and a plus-seven rating in 12 games as the Raiders clinched the Eastern Conference Championship to advance to the 2019 Rogers WHL Championship Series against the Vancouver Giants. The 2019 NHL Draft prospect also impressed with back-to-back hat trick games at the end of the month.
On April 26, Protas recorded his first of two hat trick performances. Scoring Prince Albert's first, second and fourth goals and assisting on the third goal against the Edmonton Oil Kings, Protas powered the Raiders to a 4-0 victory. For his efforts, Protas was awarded both the WHL's first star of the night and the first star of the game.
He then repeated his three-point performance the next game against the Oil Kings on April 28, where he collected two even-strength goals and one power-play goal. Again Protas was awarded the first star of the night in the WHL as well as the third star of the game.
In addition to his Rookie of the Month award, Protas was also named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending April 28, 2019, and was awarded the second star of the WHL's Three Stars for the Conference Championship round during the 2019 WHL Playoffs.
During the 2019 WHL Regular Season, Protas recorded 40 points (11G-29A), including one power-play goal and two game-winning goals in 61 games. Earlier this season, the Vitebsk, Belarus product competed in the 2019 IIHF Division I World Junior Championship for Team Belarus and recorded five points (2G-3A) in five games.
Protas was selected by the Raiders 26th overall in the 2018 WHL Import Draft. The 18-year-old has also been identified by NHL Central Scouting for selection at the 2019 NHL Draft, giving him a 44thoverall ranking amongst North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting final rankings.
Protas and the Raiders will host the Vancouver Giants on Friday, May 3 (7:00 p.m. MT) for Game 1 of the 2019 Rogers WHL Championship Series at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask.
WHL Rookie of the Month
April: Aliaksei Protas, Prince Albert Raiders
March: Adam Beckman, Spokane Chiefs
February: Carl Tetachuk, Lethbridge Hurricanes
January: Roddy Ross, Seattle Thunderbirds
December: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
November: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
September/October: Jake Neighbours, Edmonton Oil Kings
Western Hockey League Stories from April 30, 2019
- Rebels Without a First-Round Pick in this Year's WHL Draft, But That Could Change - Red Deer Rebels
- Raiders' Aliaksei Protas named CHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Silvertips Goaltender Dustin Wolf Invites Fans to Assist with Mask Design for the 2019-20 WHL Season - Everett Silvertips
- 2019 WHL Bantam Draft on Thursday, May 2 - Kamloops Blazers
- WHL to Host 2019 WHL Awards Wednesday in Red Deer - WHL
- Bowen Byram Named McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month for April - Vancouver Giants
- Raiders' Scott Named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month - WHL
- Giants' Byram Named WHL McSweeney's Player of the Month - WHL
- Raiders' Protas Named WHL Rookie of the Month - WHL
- Pats to Take Part in 2019 WHL Bantam Draft Thursday - Regina Pats
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