In the world of hockey, language barriers are often seen as hurdles, but for Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, they’re more like stepping stones to friendship—and a few laughs. Here’s the twist: while most players are busy mastering English, Thompson is diving headfirst into Russian lessons, thanks to his teammate Aliaksei Protas. But there’s a catch—Protas isn’t exactly giving him a glowing review.
ARLINGTON, VA — Hockey is a global sport, with the NHL boasting players from over a dozen countries. For many, learning English is a necessity to navigate life in the league. However, Thompson is flipping the script by embracing Russian, a language that once echoed more frequently in the Capitals’ locker room. With the recent departures of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, and Alex Alexeyev, only Protas and the legendary Alex Ovechkin remain as Russian speakers on the team. This shift has created an unexpected opportunity for cultural exchange—and plenty of entertainment.
Thompson, who joined the Capitals from the Vegas Golden Knights last summer, took the initiative to learn Russian, enlisting Protas as his tutor. Protas, a native of Vitebsk, Belarus, was more than happy to help. ‘We do little lessons whenever we can,’ Thompson shared with RMNB. ‘He teaches me small phrases and words.’ But don’t expect Thompson to recite Pushkin anytime soon. Protas candidly admitted, ‘He’s trying, but I’ve got to be honest—he’s terrible.’ And this is the part most people miss: it’s not about perfection; it’s about the effort and the bond it creates.
The two have become inseparable since Thompson’s arrival, a friendship that dates back to 2019 when they were roommates at the team’s development camp. When the Capitals acquired Thompson at the 2024 NHL Draft, Protas was among the first to welcome him, even dropping by during an autograph session to say hello. Today, they sit side-by-side in the locker room, their camaraderie evident in everything from pranks during media scrums to shared meals on the road. Thompson’s antics, like posing as a reporter or throwing towels to distract Protas during interviews, have become locker room legend.
On the ice, both players were instrumental in the Capitals’ success last season. Protas shattered his previous career high of 6 goals, delivering a staggering 66-point performance (30 goals, 36 assists) in 76 games. Thompson, meanwhile, solidified his position as one of the league’s top goaltenders, posting a 2.49 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and a fourth-place finish in the Vezina Trophy race. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Thompson’s hockey skills are undeniable, his Russian language abilities? Not so much.
‘I can’t even remember what I’ve learned,’ Thompson admitted. ‘Just the swear words.’ Protas echoed this sentiment, though with a hint of playful frustration. ‘He forgets it maybe 10 seconds after, but he’s trying,’ Protas said. Even Aliaksei’s brother, Ilya, now with the Hershey Bears, chimed in after witnessing their dynamic during training camp. ‘They’re really close friends,’ Ilya observed. ‘Even though they don’t share the same language or country, it doesn’t matter. They’re having fun, both on and off the ice.’
Interestingly, Thompson isn’t the first North American Capitals player to tackle Russian. Quebec native Pierre-Luc Dubois has quietly become a surprise polyglot, picking up the language during his junior years with teammates Maxim Lazarev and Evgeny Svechnikov. ‘He’d make me watch Russian shows and listen to Russian music,’ Dubois recalled. ‘I liked it. I enjoy learning languages.’ His efforts paid off in the NHL, where he’s used his Russian skills to his advantage, surprising teammates who assumed he couldn’t understand them.
But here’s the real question: does Thompson’s shaky Russian matter? Or is it the effort itself that counts? While Protas may tease him about his language skills, the friendship they’ve built transcends words. And who knows? Maybe one day, Thompson will surprise everyone by dropping a perfectly timed Russian phrase—swear word or otherwise. Until then, their bond remains a testament to the power of connection, even when the language lessons are less than perfect. What do you think—is Thompson’s Russian a lost cause, or is there hope for him yet? Let us know in the comments!
