Imagine an NHL goaltender, a star on the ice, deciding to tackle a whole new language just for the fun of it—and getting hilariously honest feedback from his tutor. That's the intriguing story of Logan Thompson and his Russian lessons with teammate Aliaksei Protas, a tale that flips the usual script of newcomers learning English in the league.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it really worth the effort for someone who admits they only retain the swear words? Stick around, because this friendship goes deeper than just words, and it might just change how you see language barriers in sports.
In the fast-paced world of the NHL, where players from around the globe clash on the rink, picking up English is often a non-negotiable part of fitting in. Yet, for Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson, the tables have turned. He's been diving into Russian, with Aliaksei Protas—originally from Vitebsk in Belarus—as his enthusiastic guide. Protas jumped at the chance to share his native tongue, making their sessions a playful part of team life.
These lessons happen whenever time allows, Thompson shared with RMNB. He learns snippets here and there, building his vocabulary bit by bit. This comes at a time when the Capitals' Russian-speaking group has dwindled. Just last year, five players spoke the language on the roster, but with Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, and Alex Alexeyev moving on, only Protas and Alex Ovechkin remain as the team's Russian ambassadors.
Thompson, who joined the Capitals from the Vegas Golden Knights in the summer of 2024, kicked off this linguistic adventure himself. Protas recalled how it started: Thompson began with simple questions, often just for laughs, though he'd forget them almost immediately. But the effort showed his dedication.
Their bond runs deep, forged years ago. Back in 2019, they roomed together at the Capitals' development camp, laying the groundwork for a solid friendship. When Washington picked up Thompson at the 2024 NHL Draft, Protas was among the first to greet him warmly—even swinging by an autograph event right after the news to say hi (as seen in this tweet: https://x.com/BaileyAJohnson_/status/1807102363381219595).
Now, in the locker room, they're inseparable, their camaraderie plain to see. Thompson loves pulling pranks on Protas, like pretending to be a journalist during media interviews (check out this fun clip: https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2024/11/05/aliaksei-protas-logan-thompson-media-member/) or tossing towels to throw him off. Plus, Thompson often joins Protas and Ovechkin for dinners while traveling, making every trip an adventure.
On the ice, both were game-changers for the Capitals last season. Protas shattered his personal best, scoring 30 goals and 36 assists for a whopping 66 points in 76 games—five times more than his previous high. Thompson, meanwhile, became the team's go-to starter and a top-tier goalie league-wide, with a stellar 2.49 goals-against average, 0.910 save percentage, and a fourth-place finish in the Vezina Trophy race (for those new to hockey, that's the award given annually to the NHL's best goalie, voted on by general managers).
And this is the part most people miss: Despite Thompson's elite skills between the pipes, Protas pulls no punches on his language abilities. 'He's trying, but I've got to be honest—he's terrible,' Protas said with a laugh. 'We hold each other accountable.' Thompson agrees, admitting his memory lets him down. 'I can't even remember what I've learned,' he joked. 'Just the swear words.'
Their dynamic was on full display this fall when Protas's brother, Ilya—now with the Hershey Bears—visited Washington for training camp. Ilya, watching from the sidelines, noted that language differences haven't slowed their friendship down at all. 'From my view, they're super close pals,' he said. 'Even with different tongues and backgrounds, it doesn't matter. You can see them joking around in practices and off the ice—it's a blast to witness.'
Ilya had heard about the lessons and painted a slightly brighter picture than his brother. 'Aliaksei mentioned he catches on fast,' Ilya shared. 'He knows some phrases. He even recited a few to me during camp, but I'm betting most are swears.'
Thompson isn't the only North American Capitals star to dabble in Russian. Protas was blown away by how much Quebec-born Pierre-Luc Dubois had mastered. 'Pierre-Luc Dubois knows a ton quietly— I was floored by what he picked up,' Protas exclaimed. 'It was wild when he started chatting in Russian; I couldn't believe it.'
Dubois's journey began in juniors, playing with Maxim Lazarev and Evgeny Svechnikov on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. As road roommates, Lazarev made Dubois dive into Russian culture. 'He forced me to watch Russian TV and listen to Russian tunes,' Dubois recalled. 'I enjoyed it—I love languages, so they taught me bits and pieces.'
His skills sharpened in the NHL, teaming up with Russians like Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Vladislav Gavrikov during his Columbus Blue Jackets days. 'I've been around Russians since I was 16,' he said. 'You soak up phrases naturally.' As a French speaker who's also learned Italian via Duolingo and shows, Dubois sees his multilingualism as a sneaky edge. 'It's my secret tool—I wait to surprise Russian players,' he explained. 'It comes in handy; sometimes I know what they're saying and turn it to my advantage.'
Now, Thompson is following suit, adding this unexpected twist to his player toolkit. And here's where things get even more intriguing: Could learning a teammate's language really give you an edge in the locker room, or is it just a fun distraction? Some might argue it's a sign of true team spirit, fostering closer bonds across cultures, while others say it's a waste of time when hockey demands focus on the game. What's your take? Do you think Thompson's efforts make him a better teammate, or is Protas right to call him out? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the 'terrible' verdict, or see it as harmless fun? Have you ever learned a language just for camaraderie, and did it pay off?
