Ilya Protas’ First NHL Shift Went Off The Rails Fast

Ilya Protas is recalling a first NHL shift that went about as sideways as possible, and the details are the kind that make every rookie room wince. An icing, two lost faceoffs, and Alex Ovechkin’s frustration all packed into one sequence is the sort of welcome that reminds you this league does not hand out easy introductions. Every young player has a first shift, but not every first shift comes with that much noise attached to it.