Protz signed his entry-level contract with Montreal on March 27. The deal is expected to begin with the start of the 2026-27 season. The 20-year-old defenseman registered 23 points in 64 regular season games with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs during the 2025-26 season.

Protz skated his second season with the Brantford Bulldogs, establishing himself as a reliable defenseman and building his offensive game. After managing 16 points in 66 games as a rookie, his 2024-2025 performance saw five goals and 27 assists for 32 points in 67 games. Protz won’t challenge for powerplay time in Montreal, or be relied upon to provide offense, but if he can continue to hone his reads and gain confidence as a defender he could earn a role in the bottom four in the NHL after a few more seasons of growth.

Owen Protz was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft. The physical defenseman has a taste for big hits, and has told the media he models his game off of Scott Stevens and Chris Pronger. Protz is more than just a big hitter, however, as he has shown some flashes of offensive upside. He is a long-term project, but his pro-ready 214 pound frame could be the base of an efficient and violent bottom-four NHL defenseman. Expect Protz to remain in the OHL for at least two years, and possibly for his overager year if the offense does not grow.