The OHL announced on Tuesday that Washington Capitals prospect and Winsdor Spitfires forward Ilya Protas was named the winner of the William Hanley Trophy, presented annually to the league’s most sportsmanlike player.
The trophy is awarded each year based on a selection by the 20 OHL general managers. All 20 teams submit nominees but cannot vote for their own candidate.
“I’m grateful to be recognized for demonstrating good sportsmanship as it is a reflection of my commitment to competing at the highest levels of the game,” Protas said in a press release. “I’m honoured to follow in the footsteps of fellow Windsor Spitfires Wyatt Johnston and Kyle Wellwood who won this award. It’s a special award and it is great to win in this league with a lot of very talented and high character players.”
Protas finished second in OHL scoring with 124 points (50g, 74a) in 61 games, taking 34 minutes in penalties. The runner-up for the trophy was also a Capitals prospect, Patrick Thomas of the Brantford Bulldogs.
“What a great honour for Ilya,” Spitfires GM Bill Bowler said. “He plays the game the right way with an unbelievable hockey IQ. Ilya is able to compete and play at such a high level with such sportsmanship, which is a credit to his character. He is a great representative of the Windsor Spitfires and the Ontario Hockey League.”
Past winners of the award include current NHLers Wyatt Johnston, Nick Suzuki, Mike Amadio, Dylan Strome, Connor McDavid, and Brandon Saad. Protas will be formally presented with the trophy at the OHL’s Awards Ceremony in June at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Protas and the Windsor Spitfires are still in the OHL playoffs, up 3-0 in their second-round series against the Kitchener Rangers. The 18-year-old forward is tied for the OHL lead in postseason scoring with his linemate Liam Greentree. Both have 24 points through just eight games.
