OHL In The System: Washington Capitals

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.

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The votes are in and Washington’s prospect pipeline is polling off the charts. From standout OHL performances to poised AHL-ready prospects, here’s a look at some names worth watching in the Captials’ system.

Ilya Protas (RW) – Windsor Spitfires (2024-25)
Selected: 3rd Round, 75th Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 61 GP, 50 G, 74 A, 124 PTS, +58
Age: 19

In his first season with the Spitfires, Ilya Protas dominated the OHL with 124 points (50–74–124) in just 61 games. He earned the OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player award and was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team. Protas ranked second in the league in both points and plus/minus (+58) and continued his elite production in the playoffs, where he posted 25 points (5-20–25) in 12 games.

Cam Allen (D) – Guelph Storm (2021-25), London Knights (2024-25)
Selected: 5th Round, 136th Overall (2023)
OHL Career Stats: 201 GP, 31 G, 85 A, 116 PTS, -1
Age: 20

Acquired by the London Knights ahead of the holiday break, Cam Allen was a key mid-season addition for their Memorial Cup push. The 6-foot defenceman recorded 20 points (4-16–20) in 22 regular-season games and added six more in the playoffs as the Knights captured the championship. He is expected to make his pro debut with the Hershey Bears in the fall.

Patrick Thomas (C) – Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs (2021-25)
Selected: 4th Round, 104th Overall (2023)
OHL Career Stats: 253 GP, 71 G, 182 A, 253 PTS, +48
Age: 21

Serving as captain during his overage season, Patrick Thomas reached a career-high 104 points (27–77–104) in 66 games with the Brantford Bulldogs. He led the OHL in assists and ranked sixth in overall scoring. The 6-foot forward signed a three-year entry-level contract and will begin his professional career with the Hershey Bears.

Graeme Clarke (RW) – Ottawa 67’s (2017-2020)
Signed: July 2, 2025 
OHL Career Stats: 134 GP, 46 G, 30 A, 76 PTS, +6
Age: 24

Acquired from the Iowa Wild, Graeme Clarke tied for second in team scoring last season with 37 points (16–21–37) across 64 games. He also recorded four game-winning goals, tied for most on the club and four power-play tallies. A 2019 third-round pick by the New Jersey Devils, Clarke appeared in three NHL games before joining the Hershey Bears for the upcoming season.

Tomorrow on In The System, we’ll take a look at the OHL Talent inside the Winnipeg Jets organization!