Spitfires get big import
Belarusian forward Ilya Protas was plucked by the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League with the third overall pick of the 2024 Canadian Hockey League import draft.
The 6 foot 4 forward is already familiar to North America having skated for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League.
With a 2006 birth date, Protas is also a National Hockey League draft pick. He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2024 NHL draft.