Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Janet Asprin

Aliaksei Protas is a Belarusian professional ice hockey player who plays for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 6, 2001, in Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas has developed into one of his country’s most recognizable hockey players.
Beyond his NHL career, Protas is a devoted husband, father, and older brother. He is married to Tatsiana Protas, also known as Tanya, and the couple has two daughters, Alisa and Viktoria. His parents are Vladimir and Tatyana Protas, and his younger brother, Ilya Protas, is also a professional hockey player.
His family’s encouragement and sacrifices have played an important role in his journey from Belarus to the NHL.
Aliaksei Protas’s Wife: Who Is He Married To?
Aliaksei Protas is married to Tatsiana Protas (née Zavadich), commonly known as Tanya Protas.
The couple married in June 2021, when Aliaksei was 20 years old. Their relationship began several years earlier after they connected through mutual acquaintances and social media.
According to interviews with Belarusian media, Protas first contacted Tatsiana through Instagram in February 2019. Although she initially had reservations about dating a hockey player who was younger than her and living in Canada, their conversations eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
The couple also discovered that their families had connections before they started dating. Protas revealed that his grandmother had known Tatsiana since she was a young child and that Tatsiana was already familiar with his parents.
After their wedding, Tatsiana moved to the United States to live with her husband as he continued his professional hockey career.
She has supported Protas throughout his time with the Washington Capitals, including important milestones in his development as an NHL player.
In addition to supporting his career, Tatsiana has shared occasional glimpses of their family life through social media, including photographs and announcements celebrating the births of their children.
Aliaksei Protas’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Aliaksei Protas and his wife Tatsiana have two daughters, Alisa Protas and Viktoria Protas.
The couple welcomed their first child in February 2023 and their second daughter in March 2026.
Alisa Protas – Aliaksei Protas’s First Daughter
Alisa Protas was born on February 15, 2023.
Her arrival marked an important milestone for Aliaksei and Tatsiana as they became parents for the first time.
Tatsiana shared the happy news through social media, posting a message welcoming their daughter into the world. The Washington Capitals also congratulated the family.
Protas has frequently discussed how fatherhood changed his perspective on life. He explained that spending time with his daughter helps him recover emotionally after difficult games or demanding road trips.
In June 2025, NHL social media accounts featured Protas spending time with Alisa at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex, where he helped her practice skating.
The moment highlighted the special relationship between the hockey player and his young daughter.
Protas has expressed that returning home to see his family is one of the most rewarding parts of his life away from professional hockey.
Viktoria Protas – Aliaksei Protas’s Second Daughter
Viktoria Protas was born on March 3, 2026.
The couple announced her arrival through a social media post shared by Tatsiana on March 4, 2026.
In the announcement, Tatsiana expressed the family’s excitement about welcoming their second daughter and mentioned that they had been eagerly waiting for her arrival alongside Alisa.
Protas missed the Washington Capitals’ game against the Utah Mammoth around the time of his daughter’s birth because of the important family occasion.
Later in March 2026, the Belarusian forward discussed his hopes for his daughters’ futures.
He explained that he would not pressure his children to become professional athletes, preferring that they choose their own interests and activities as they grow older.
For Protas, raising happy, kind, and caring children is more important than encouraging them to follow his professional hockey career.
Aliaksei Protas’s Parents: Meet Vladimir and Tatyana Protas
Aliaksei Protas was raised in Vitebsk, Belarus, by his parents, Vladimir Protas and Tatyana Protas.
His parents played essential roles in introducing him to hockey and helping him pursue opportunities that eventually led to his NHL career.
Although the family experienced financial and logistical challenges during his childhood, his parents remained committed to supporting both of their sons.
Aliaksei Protas’s Father: Vladimir Protas
Aliaksei Protas’s father is Vladimir Protas.
Vladimir developed an interest in introducing his son to hockey from an early age. According to an August 2026 interview with Belarusian media, Aliaksei recalled that his father purchased skates after learning that he was expecting a son.
Vladimir encouraged Aliaksei and his younger brother Ilya to participate in sports, particularly hockey.
When Aliaksei was approximately seven years old, Vladimir spent about a year working in Sweden. During this period, the children’s mother was responsible for managing most of their daily activities and hockey training arrangements.
Despite being away from home for work, Vladimir continued following his sons’ progress. Tatyana recorded videos of Aliaksei’s early hockey experiences and sent them to her husband.
In a 2026 family interview, Vladimir discussed the importance of physical activity and how he encouraged his children to spend time playing sports.
His influence helped both Aliaksei and Ilya develop their passion for hockey.
Vladimir’s support has continued as his sons have pursued professional hockey careers in North America.
Aliaksei Protas’s Mother: Tatyana Protas
Aliaksei Protas’s mother is Tatyana Protas.
Tatyana played a particularly important role in raising Aliaksei and Ilya while their father was occasionally away for work.
In interviews about his childhood, Aliaksei described how his mother balanced employment, household responsibilities, and taking her children to hockey practices.
When Aliaksei began playing hockey, she often accompanied him to the local ice rink while also caring for his younger brother.
With the family living approximately 15 minutes from the rink, she sometimes had to carry Aliaksei’s hockey equipment while looking after young Ilya.
Despite these responsibilities, Tatyana continued encouraging her sons’ sporting interests.
In March 2026, she recalled that Aliaksei showed immediate enthusiasm for hockey when he first began attending training sessions.
Tatyana has remained closely involved in her sons’ lives and celebrated their professional achievements, including Ilya’s selection by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Aliaksei has frequently acknowledged the sacrifices his parents made to support his development as an athlete.
Aliaksei Protas’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Aliaksei Protas has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger brother, Ilya Protas.
Both brothers were born in Vitebsk, Belarus, and developed an interest in ice hockey during childhood.
Ilya Protas – Aliaksei Protas’s Younger Brother
Ilya Protas was born on July 31, 2006, in Vitebsk, Belarus.
Like Aliaksei, Ilya is a professional ice hockey forward associated with the Washington Capitals organization.
He was selected by the Capitals in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Aliaksei attended the draft alongside Ilya and their mother, sharing an emotional moment when the Capitals selected his younger brother.
The selection was particularly meaningful because Aliaksei had also been drafted by Washington in the third round, five years earlier in 2019.
The brothers have maintained a close relationship throughout their lives.
When their father worked abroad during their childhood, Aliaksei helped his mother care for Ilya, often accompanying his younger brother and assisting with everyday responsibilities.
In a June 2025 interview, Ilya affectionately described Aliaksei as being like a second mother to him because of the guidance and support he received from his older brother.
Aliaksei also helped Ilya develop his hockey skills, particularly through offseason training sessions they completed together.
Ilya has credited his older brother’s work ethic, discipline, and determination as important influences on his own development.
In April 2026, Ilya earned an opportunity to join the Washington Capitals in the NHL, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing alongside Aliaksei.
The brothers expressed their excitement about representing the same NHL organization and sharing the ice at the highest level of professional hockey.
Their relationship remains one of the most meaningful aspects of the Protas family’s hockey story.
How Aliaksei Protas’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Aliaksei Protas’s journey to the NHL is closely connected to his family’s encouragement and personal sacrifices.
Growing up in Belarus, Protas encountered challenges involving hockey equipment, training costs, and opportunities to develop his skills.
His parents helped him continue playing despite these obstacles.
Vladimir encouraged his sons to participate in hockey, while Tatyana ensured they could regularly attend practices and other activities.
As his talent developed, Aliaksei eventually moved to North America to pursue additional opportunities.
He played junior hockey with the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League before establishing himself professionally.
In 2019, he was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season and continued developing into an important member of Washington’s forward group.
His younger brother later followed a similar path, eventually joining the Capitals organization.
The brothers’ achievements reflect years of family support and shared dedication to hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aliaksei Protas’s Family
Who is Aliaksei Protas’s wife?
Aliaksei Protas is married to Tatsiana Protas, also known as Tanya. Her maiden name is Zavadich. The couple married in June 2021.
Does Aliaksei Protas have children?
Yes. Aliaksei Protas has two daughters, Alisa and Viktoria, with his wife Tatsiana.
How old are Aliaksei Protas’s daughters?
Alisa Protas was born on February 15, 2023, while Viktoria Protas was born on March 3, 2026.
Who are Aliaksei Protas’s parents?
His parents are Vladimir Protas and Tatyana Protas. They raised him and his younger brother in Vitebsk, Belarus.
Who is Aliaksei Protas’s father?
His father is Vladimir Protas, who encouraged him to begin playing hockey and supported his early athletic development.
Who is Aliaksei Protas’s mother?
His mother is Tatyana Protas, who helped manage his childhood hockey training while raising him and his younger brother.
Does Aliaksei Protas have siblings?
Yes. He has a younger brother named Ilya Protas, who is also a professional ice hockey player.
Is Ilya Protas related to Aliaksei Protas?
Yes. Ilya Protas is Aliaksei Protas’s younger brother. Both have been part of the Washington Capitals organization.
Are Aliaksei Protas and Ilya Protas on the same NHL team?
Yes. Both brothers are associated with the Washington Capitals, and Ilya earned his first NHL opportunity with the team in April 2026.
Where does Aliaksei Protas’s family come from?
Aliaksei Protas and his family come from Vitebsk, Belarus, where he and his younger brother grew up before pursuing hockey careers in North America.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
