Habs would love to hear commentators talking about opponents getting “Protzed” by a hip-check from 6-foot, 205-pound defenceman.
The 6-foot, 205-pound defenceman stood out at the Canadiens’ development camp last week in Brossard for his physical style of play and his ability to throw some beautiful hip-checks during the scrimmage that wrapped up the camp.
The Canadiens selected Protz in the fourth round (102nd overall) of last month’s NHL Draft in Las Vegas after he posted 3-16-19 totals and 49 penalty minutes in 66 games split between the Sudbury Wolves and Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL.
“I used to watch some old VCR tapes at my cottage and it was all the old school — I guess not old school, but I’ll say more experienced players,” the affable Protz said with a grin. “It was 1950s, 1960s kind of old-style kind of play. I watched it about 80 times. My parents had to get rid of it because I wouldn’t go outside sometimes — I’d just watch hockey highlights. So I think that’s where I got a lot of my game from, kind of watching the older style of play.
The Canadiens would love to hear commentators in the future talking about opponents getting “Protzed.”
Protz believes he can become a puck-moving, two-way defenceman for the Canadiens, while also bringing his physical style of play.
“The NHL is such a faster game,” he said. “It’s more about puck-moving than physicality.”
Francis Bouillon, a Canadiens’ development coach and former NHL defenceman, loves what he has seen from Protz.
It’s also fun to talk with Protz, who has a very outgoing personality.
It’s surprising an 18-year-old would even know what a VCR machine is. Protz’s taste in music is also surprising and yet another throwback — including The Beatles, The Eagles and even Cat Stevens.
“A lot of really kind of slower music, but it’s more of what I listen to before games — not really as much pump-up,” Protz said. “Just kind of feel yourself, be who you want to be.”
“Some of the guys aren’t too happy with that,” Protz said with a chuckle about his Brantford teammates. “I’ll put on my headset or put in my earbuds and I’ll listen to it myself.”
Protz, an Ottawa native, grew up playing several sports, including volleyball, rugby and football. He was always a big kid with a big appetite and started working out in the gym six days a week when he was about 12, encouraged by his father, who said it would help him in all sports.
“That’s what I love … I love being in the gym, love working as hard as I can,” Protz said. “Hey, if I’m allowed to eat food as much as I want and burn as much calories as I can, it always helps.
“I went to a daycare and they fed me six meals a day,” he added. “I got breakfast at the daycare, snack, lunch. Snack, dinner. Went home and had a snack and dinner. I was always kind of a big kid. I’m no shy guy for food.”
Protz is no shy guy in front of microphones and TV cameras, either. He’s a breath of fresh air in a hockey world where young players — and older ones — often speak in clichés.
Renée Racine, the Canadiens’ sport dietician, spoke with Protz and the other players at development camp and he was all ears.
“I’m going to be giving her a call after to ask her to help me out with some nutritionists, but she’s awesome,” Protz said. “There’s definitely a regimen to it but, hey, if there’s good food I’ll eat it.”
And if there’s a good chance to throw a hip-check, Protz will do it.