Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Ilya Protas is a Belarusian professional ice hockey player who plays for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 18, 2006, in Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas grew up in a family with a strong passion for hockey.
Beyond his professional career, Ilya is known for his close relationship with his parents, Vladimir Protas and Tatyana Protas, and his older brother, Aliaksei Protas, who also plays for the Washington Capitals.
While Ilya keeps his romantic relationships relatively private, he has frequently discussed his family’s influence on his development, including the sacrifices his parents made and the guidance he received from his older brother.
Ilya Protas’s Girlfriend: Who Is He Dating?
Ilya Protas has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or romantic partner.
The Belarusian hockey player maintains a relatively private personal life, and most of his interviews focus on his professional career, family relationships, and experiences playing hockey in North America.
Although Protas occasionally shares photographs and updates on social media, reliable sports publications have not identified a current girlfriend.
There have also been no verified public announcements confirming that he is engaged or married.
In interviews with Russian Machine Never Breaks and Belarusian sports media, Ilya has spoken extensively about his parents, older brother, and hockey ambitions without publicly discussing a romantic relationship.
Consequently, his current relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Does Ilya Protas Have Children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Ilya Protas has children.
The Washington Capitals forward has not announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official hockey biographies do not identify any children.
During an April 2026 interview, Protas discussed how he would eventually tell his future children about the experience of playing alongside NHL legend Alex Ovechkin.
His comments referred to children he might have in the future rather than confirming that he was already a father.
Although Ilya has no publicly confirmed children, he is an uncle through his older brother Aliaksei, who has two daughters with his wife, Tatsiana Protas.
Ilya has expressed affection for his brother’s family and regularly maintains contact with them.
Ilya Protas’s Parents: Meet Vladimir and Tatyana Protas
Ilya Protas was raised by his parents, Vladimir Protas and Tatyana Protas, in Vitebsk, Belarus.
The couple raised two sons who eventually became professional hockey players in the Washington Capitals organization.
Both parents made significant sacrifices to support their children’s sporting ambitions, balancing employment, household responsibilities, and the financial demands of competitive hockey.
In March 2026, a Belarusian feature about the Protas family described how Vladimir and Tatyana helped both sons progress from local hockey programs to professional careers.
Ilya Protas’s Father: Vladimir Protas
Vladimir Protas is Ilya Protas’s father.
Vladimir played an important role in introducing his sons to hockey and encouraging their early athletic development.
According to interviews with the Protas family, Vladimir was particularly enthusiastic about hockey when his children were young.
He introduced Aliaksei to skating at an early age, and Ilya subsequently followed his older brother into the sport.
When Ilya was approximately two years old, Vladimir traveled to Sweden for work and remained abroad for about a year.
During that period, Tatyana managed many of the family’s daily responsibilities, while Aliaksei helped look after his younger brother.
Despite working away from home, Vladimir remained involved in his children’s development.
Tatyana frequently recorded videos of Aliaksei’s early hockey practices and sent them to Vladimir so he could follow his son’s progress.
As Ilya grew older, Vladimir continued supporting his hockey ambitions.
In June 2024, Ilya was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Although Vladimir wanted to attend the event in Las Vegas, he was unable to travel because of visa difficulties.
Ilya later explained that his father became emotional after learning that Washington had selected him.
The draft was especially meaningful because the Capitals had previously selected Aliaksei in 2019.
In December 2024, Vladimir was finally able to travel to North America and watch Aliaksei play for Washington in person.
He attended games with Tatyana and Ilya, creating an important family memory.
Aliaksei publicly thanked both parents for their sacrifices and acknowledged that their support had helped the brothers reach professional hockey.
In 2026, Vladimir also discussed his hopes of watching Ilya establish himself in the NHL.
His dedication to his sons’ hockey careers remains an important part of the Protas family story.
Ilya Protas’s Mother: Tatyana Protas
Tatyana Protas is Ilya Protas’s mother.
Tatyana played a particularly important role in raising the brothers during periods when Vladimir worked away from home.
In an August 2026 interview, Aliaksei described how his mother balanced employment, caring for young Ilya, and taking him to hockey practices.
When Aliaksei first began organized hockey, the family’s home was approximately a 15-minute walk from the ice rink.
Tatyana frequently carried hockey equipment while looking after Ilya, who was still a toddler.
She also recorded videos of Aliaksei’s early skating experiences to share with Vladimir while he was working abroad.
As Ilya grew older, she supported his own interest in hockey and helped him continue training.
In June 2024, Tatyana accompanied Ilya and Aliaksei to the NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.
She witnessed the emotional moment when Washington selected her younger son with the 75th overall pick.
Following the announcement, Ilya celebrated with his mother, brother, and sister-in-law.
Tatyana has continued supporting both sons as their careers have progressed.
When Ilya received his first NHL call-up in April 2026, she and Vladimir were delighted by the news.
Ilya later explained that his parents became emotional when he informed them about the opportunity.
During a September 2026 interview, Ilya also spoke about his mother’s efforts to help him gain weight and improve his physical strength through nutrition.
His comments reflected the close relationship he continues to share with his mother.
Ilya Protas’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Ilya Protas has one publicly confirmed sibling, his older brother Aliaksei Protas.
Both brothers were born in Vitebsk, Belarus, and developed a passion for hockey during childhood.
They are approximately five years apart in age, with Aliaksei being the eldest.
Aliaksei Protas – Ilya Protas’s Older Brother
Aliaksei Protas was born on January 6, 2001, in Vitebsk, Belarus.
He is a professional NHL forward who plays for the Washington Capitals.
Aliaksei was selected by Washington in the third round, 91st overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season and subsequently established himself as an important member of the Capitals.
Five years after Aliaksei was drafted, Washington selected Ilya in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The selection created a special family connection between the two brothers and the Capitals organization.
How Aliaksei Protas Helped Raise His Younger Brother
Aliaksei has played an unusually important role in Ilya’s life.
When their father spent approximately a year working in Sweden, Aliaksei helped their mother care for Ilya.
Although Aliaksei was still a young child himself, he assisted with everyday responsibilities, including looking after his brother while their mother was busy.
During a June 2025 interview with Russian Machine Never Breaks, Ilya jokingly described Aliaksei as being like a second mother to him.
He explained that his older brother frequently provided guidance and helped him navigate difficult situations during childhood and adolescence.
The brothers have maintained a close relationship despite living in different cities during parts of their hockey careers.
They regularly communicate by telephone and discuss hockey performances, personal challenges, and everyday family matters.
Ilya has credited Aliaksei with teaching him important lessons about discipline, consistency, and maintaining a positive attitude.
Did Ilya and Aliaksei Protas Fight as Children?
Although the brothers share a close relationship, they occasionally argued during childhood.
In July 2025, Ilya recalled an incident in which he became angry with Aliaksei and attempted to fight him.
He jokingly admitted that he lost the confrontation because his older brother was significantly bigger and stronger.
Despite these occasional disagreements, Ilya described Aliaksei as an important role model.
He explained that his brother always encouraged him to become a better person and hockey player.
As they grew older, their relationship became increasingly supportive.
Ilya Protas and Aliaksei Protas: Playing Together in the NHL
One of the most significant moments in the Protas family’s history occurred in April 2026 when Ilya joined his older brother in the NHL.
On April 6, 2026, the Washington Capitals recalled Ilya from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
He had recorded 62 points, including 28 goals and 34 assists, in 66 AHL games.
The call-up gave him an opportunity to play alongside Aliaksei at the highest level of professional hockey.
When Ilya received the news, he contacted the family’s group chat to inform his parents and older brother.
Aliaksei initially could not respond immediately because he was near his sleeping child.
After reconnecting, Ilya shared the news with his brother, and their parents became emotional.
On April 8, 2026, Ilya made his NHL regular-season debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The brothers shared the ice for Washington, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Ilya also recorded his first NHL assist during the game, contributing to a goal by Cole Hutson.
Aliaksei played an important role in the scoring sequence, making the moment particularly meaningful for the family.
Both brothers later discussed how difficult it would have been to imagine this achievement when they were children growing up in Belarus.
In September 2026, Aliaksei explained that playing alongside Ilya remained a special experience every time they shared the ice.
The brothers also continued joking with each other during practices and games, demonstrating their close relationship.
Ilya Protas’s Sister-in-Law: Tatsiana Protas
Ilya Protas’s sister-in-law is Tatsiana Protas, also known as Tanya, the wife of his older brother Aliaksei.
Aliaksei and Tatsiana married in June 2021 and have two daughters.
Their first daughter, Alisa Protas, was born on February 15, 2023, while their second daughter, Viktoria Protas, was born on March 3, 2026.
Ilya has maintained a close relationship with his brother’s wife and children.
During interviews, he has discussed how frequently he communicates with Aliaksei and enjoys remaining connected to his nieces.
In May 2026, Ilya spoke about how Aliaksei, Tatsiana, and their daughter Alisa had attended several Hershey Bears games to support him.
The family’s presence demonstrated how much they valued his development as a professional player.
In September 2026, Ilya also discussed the possibility of finding his own accommodation in the Washington area while continuing to visit Aliaksei and Tatsiana for family dinners.
He explained that he wanted to respect his brother’s growing household while remaining close to the family.
Ilya Protas’s Childhood and Family Background
Ilya Protas was born on July 18, 2006, in Vitebsk, Belarus.
He grew up watching his older brother Aliaksei participate in organized hockey.
His early exposure to ice hockey played an important role in developing his interest in the sport.
In an April 2025 interview, Ilya explained that his father and older brother were the two people who most influenced his decision to pursue hockey.
He spent considerable time at local ice rinks, observing Aliaksei’s training sessions and learning about the game.
As he became older, Ilya joined youth hockey programs in Vitebsk and began developing his own skills.
His family continued supporting him as he progressed through Belarusian junior hockey.
Eventually, he moved to North America to pursue opportunities in more competitive junior leagues.
During the 2023-24 season, he played for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League.
He recorded 51 points in 61 regular-season games and attracted attention from NHL scouts.
Washington selected him in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The following season, Ilya joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
He produced 124 points, including 50 goals and 74 assists, in 61 regular-season games during the 2024-25 campaign.
His outstanding performances earned him the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player.
He subsequently joined the Hershey Bears and began his professional career.
Throughout these transitions, his parents and brother remained an important source of encouragement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ilya Protas’s Family
Who is Ilya Protas’s girlfriend?
Ilya Protas has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. Reliable details about his current romantic relationship status are unavailable.
Is Ilya Protas married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Ilya Protas is married.
Does Ilya Protas have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Ilya Protas.
Who are Ilya Protas’s parents?
Ilya Protas’s parents are Vladimir Protas and Tatyana Protas. They raised Ilya and his older brother Aliaksei in Vitebsk, Belarus.
Who is Ilya Protas’s father?
His father is Vladimir Protas, who encouraged his sons to pursue hockey and supported their development throughout childhood.
Who is Ilya Protas’s mother?
His mother is Tatyana Protas. She played an important role in raising both brothers and managing their early hockey activities.
Does Ilya Protas have siblings?
Yes. Ilya Protas has one publicly confirmed sibling, his older brother Aliaksei Protas, who also plays for the Washington Capitals.
Are Ilya Protas and Aliaksei Protas brothers?
Yes. Aliaksei Protas is Ilya’s older brother. They were both born in Vitebsk, Belarus, and were selected by Washington in the NHL Entry Draft.
How much older is Aliaksei Protas than Ilya Protas?
Aliaksei was born on January 6, 2001, while Ilya was born on July 18, 2006. Their age difference is approximately five and a half years.
Who is Ilya Protas’s sister-in-law?
His sister-in-law is Tatsiana Protas, the wife of his older brother Aliaksei.
Does Ilya Protas have nieces or nephews?
Yes. Ilya Protas has two publicly known nieces, Alisa and Viktoria Protas, the daughters of Aliaksei and Tatsiana Protas.
When did Ilya Protas make his NHL debut?
Ilya Protas made his NHL regular-season debut with the Washington Capitals against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 8, 2026.
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.
