By Trevor Redden

Raiders ink Protas, double Belarusian content

Jul 30, 2018 | 5:00 PM

In a few weeks’ time, defenceman Sergei Sapego and forward Aliaksi Protas will make the 7,300 kilometre trip from Minsk, Belarus to Prince Albert.

On Monday, the Raiders officially announced the signing of Protas, the team’s lone pick at the 2018 import draft in June. Along with Sapego, the Raiders will have a distinctive Belarussian influence in the locker room.

“We want players that want to be here, and we’re excited to get Aliaksi signed. He’s trained all summer with the Belarus Under-20 National Team, and he did play at the Under-18 World Championships this spring where he had a goal and three assists, so we’re excited,” General Manager Curtis Hunt said.

While the primary focus was on acquiring the best player available, Hunt said the Raiders considered the benefits of bringing in a Belarus native with Sapego already in the fold. Much like Simon Stransky served as a mentor for fellow Czech native Vojtech Budik several years ago, the Raiders see Sapego helping Protas transition into a new environment.

Not only do Sapego and Protas share the same nationality, but they are both from the northeastern city of Vitebsk, which is approximately 50 kilometres from the Russian border.

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Hunt and his staff saw Protas last season at the Mac’s tournament in Calgary, where he utilized his 6’3”, 179 lb frame to score two goals and three assists in four games played with the Belarus U17 national team. Born in 2001, Protas has up to four years of junior eligibility in front of him and the GM hopes to see him play down the middle as well as on the wing, developing his 200 foot game during his time in Prince Albert.

As for Sapego, Hunt said last year was difficult for him on a couple fronts as he adjusted to life in North America for the first time, first with the Tri-City Americans and then in Prince Albert after an early season trade, but also due to injuries that kept him largely out of the lineup from early December until early February. Unfortunately for Sapego, he had been selected to represent his country at the world junior tournament in Buffalo, but was unable to participate due to injury.

While limited to just 41 regular season games in a Raider uniform, Sapego was productive with 17 points in that span, as well as three assists in seven playoff games.

“We’re really looking forward to him taking a big step this year,” Hunt said. “I think there’s a tremendous player in there that can provide offence and defend as well. We’re excited about having both of those kids in the lineup.”

Raider players are expected back in Prince Albert in time for the team’s annual golf tournament this year, which takes place on Thursday, Aug. 23. Hunt said the event will give fans an opportunity to mingle with players on a social level before training camp kicks off that weekend.

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden