In the world of professional ice hockey, language barriers can be a challenge, but for Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, it's a unique opportunity for cultural exchange. Thompson, who joined the team last summer from the Vegas Golden Knights, has been taking Russian lessons from his teammate, Aliaksei Protas. Despite Protas' humorous admission that Thompson is 'terrible' at Russian, their friendship and mutual respect are evident.
The Capitals once had a significant Russian-speaking contingent, but after some players' departures, Protas and Alex Ovechkin are the only two remaining. Thompson, who initiated the lessons, has become close friends with Protas, dating back to their time as roommates at the team's annual development camp in 2019. Their friendship is so strong that they often spend time together, even during media scrums, where Thompson has been known to prank Protas.
Protas' language skills are a topic of interest, and he acknowledges Thompson's efforts while also being candid about his own progress. Despite his struggles, Thompson finds humor in his attempts, focusing on the swear words he has learned. The pair's dynamic is further showcased through their interactions with Aliaksei's brother, Ilya, who plays for the Hershey Bears. Ilya confirms that their friendship transcends language barriers, and he has witnessed their close bond and enjoyment during practices and off-ice activities.
Interestingly, Thompson is not the first North American Capitals player to learn Russian. Quebec native Pierre-Luc Dubois, who played with Maxim Lazarev and Evgeny Svechnikov on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, has a surprising amount of Russian knowledge. Dubois' experience with Russian media and teammates in the NHL, including Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, contributed to his proficiency. Dubois' polyglot nature has given him an advantage in communication, and he finds it helpful when players assume he can't understand them.
Now, Thompson, like Dubois, can add another surprise weapon to his arsenal, as he continues to learn and grow alongside his teammates.
