Ryan Leonard likes to surround himself with positive people. So, it's no surprise that the 19-year-old took to new prospect Ilya Protas quickly at Washington Capitals development camp.
Leonard and Protas, the younger brother of Capitals forward Aliaksei, formed a fast friendship over the course of the week. It marked Leonard's second development camp and the first for Protas, who was taken in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
“Feel awesome, feel amazing," Protas said of attending camp. "Dream come true, feeling special feeling great.”
When the two met for the first time, they clicked right away as their personalities matched right off the bat.
"I always like to surround myself with guys that have high energy, a little bit loose, guys that like to have fun, and he's always smiling," Leonard said of Protas. "He's always a good guy to mess around with."
“(My brother told me) meet everyone, talk, don’t be shy, ask question. Just enjoy it," Protas said of his approach to camp.
On the ice, the two formed an even stronger bond. It seemed that Leonard could always find Protas' tape on the ice, and vice versa, as the two worked well in tandem.
Then, when the prospects got to draft their teams for the "Future Caps Cup" 3-on-3 tournament to close out camp, Leonard took Protas on his team.
"He's a great player who plays hard, takes the puck to the back of the net. He's very good," Leonard said.
It was domination from that point on. With Protas' knack for the net and playmaking ability and Leonard's speed and wicked shot, the two helped their team win it all. It also provided a promising glimpse of the future. And in fitting fashion, Leonard first passed the Cup to Protas.
"It's a great level of guys," Protas said of his fellow prospects. "Just have to be a little faster, smarter."
