Madison Capitols
{{short description|American junior ice hockey team}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Pro hockey team
| bg_color = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#002D62 5px solid; border-bottom:#79BDE8 5px solid;
| text_color = #000000
|team = Madison Capitols
|logo = Madison Capitols logo.svg
|logosize = 200px
|city = Middleton, Wisconsin
|league = United States Hockey League
|conference = Eastern
|founded = 2014
|arena = Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena
|colors = Navy, columbia, gray, red, white
{{color box|#002D62}} {{color box|#79BDE8}} {{color box|#B0B7BC}} {{color box|#E31937}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
|owner = Ryan Suter
|president = Andrew Joudrey
|GM = Andy Brandt
|coach = Andy Brandt
|captain =
|media =
}}
The Madison Capitols are a Tier I junior ice hockey team that plays in the Eastern Conference of the United States Hockey League. Founded in 2014, the team plays its home games at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton, Wisconsin.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/hockey/ushl-capitols-move-to-hartmeyer-nixed-capitol-ice-arena-named/article_94b566c2-420f-58c2-bb06-3d0b38d4879c.html |title=Capitol's Move to Hartmeyer nixed; Capitol Ice Arena named as new home |website=Wisconsin State Journal |date=September 11, 2017}}
History
= Early history (1984–1991) =
The Madison Capitols began as a team in 1984, competing in the USHL, and played for 11 consecutive seasons.{{cite web |url=http://www.ushl.com/news.php?news_id=2148 |title=United States Hockey League - Madison Capitols Begin New Era in USHL |access-date=2014-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409054117/http://ushl.com/news.php?news_id=2148 |archive-date=2014-04-09 }} During this period, the Capitols played home games at the Hartmeyer Ice Arena, posting a 207–278–16 record, playing a total of 530 games.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/wisconsin-capitols-6710.html|title=Wisconsin Capitols hockey team statistics and history at hockeydb.com}}
The team was coached by Bob Suter from 1984 to 1986, posting a 35–48–3–10 record.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=7501|title=Bob Suter Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}} Following what was a mild start to the franchise, Scott Owens took over coaching duties in 1986 and started a winning franchise, posting a 136–85–9–10 record through 1991.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=34332|title=Scott Owens Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}} Owens would then move on to coach the Des Moines Buccaneers and Colorado College, ending the first era of the Madison Capitols.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
= Wisconsin Capitols (1991–1995) =
With the departure of Owens, the Madison Capitols re-branded themselves as the Wisconsin Capitols in 1991. Steve Huglen, a University of Illinois Defensemen, was hired as head coach for the 1991–1992 campaign and the Capitols intended to continue their winning record; however, under Huglen the team posted an 11–37–0 season.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
The 1992–93 campaign saw the departure of Huglen, and the addition of Mike Dibble as head coach. After the team posted a 2–21–2 record Dibble was replaced by Rob Andriga mid-season, who would coach the Capitols to a 4–19–1 record, finishing at 6–39–2–1 season record.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=8549|title=Mike Dibble Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorhockey/roster/t-11227/y-1992|title=1992 Wisconsin Capitols minor league hockey Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=17625|title=Rob Andringa Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}}
In the 1993–94 season, Andringa was still coaching the Wisconsin Capitols, along with the additions of Don Granato, and Brian Duffy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=6965|title=Don Granato Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=69716|title=Brian Duffy Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}} The Capitols would post a 9–37–1–3 record this season, second to their worst. The era of the Wisconsin Capitols and, for the time being, USHL hockey in Madison was close to an end.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
The final season of the Capitols in Madison in 1994–95, saw the return of Duffy, who would post a 3–8–0 record as head coach. The replacement coach, Len Semplice would finish the season with a 7–29–1 record, totaling a team season record of 10–37–1.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?encode=TRUE&pid=69733|title=Len Semplice Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com}}
= Madison Capitols (2014–present) =
On November 26, 2013, the management of Madtown Hockey, LLC announced that the Madison Capitols would be returning to Madison in the 2014–15 season. Former Wisconsin Badgers, Tom Sagissor and Ryan Suter, at the time, an NHL player with the Minnesota Wild, would join the ownership group. It was also announced that the Madison Capitols would play at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.{{cite web |url=https://captimes.com/news/local/writers/todd-milewski/ryan-suter-among-owners-of-new-madison-capitols-ushl-team/article_3c1412ff-e61b-53ee-b1ca-94e0f319f17d.html |title=Ryan Suter among owners of new Madison Capitols USHL team |publisher=The Cap Times |date=November 25, 2013}} Steve Miller was originally announced as head coach and general manager, but stepped down on May 19, 2014, prior to the club playing a single game.{{cite web |url=https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-hockey/2014/5/19/5732234/steve-miller-resigns-as-head-coach-of-new-madison-capitols-ushl |title=Steve Miller resigns as head coach of new Madison Capitols USHL franchise |publisher=Bucky's 5th Quarter |date=May 19, 2014}}
On May 22, 2014, Luke Strand was introduced as the Madison Capitols head coach and general manager. He was joined on the bench by fellow Eau Claire native Keith Paulsen and longtime NHL veteran and Stanley Cup Champion Tony Hrkac.{{cite web |url=https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-hockey/2014/5/22/5743684/madison-capitols-hire-luke-strand-as-head-coach-and-general-manager |title=Madison Capitols hire Luke Strand as head coach, general manager |publisher=Bucky's 5th Quarter |date=May 22, 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://static.ushl.com/custompages/Media%20Guide%202023-24%20-%20Final.pdf |title=USHL Media Guide 2023-24 |publisher=USHL.com}}
Following Bob Suter's death in September 2014, the Capitols honored the lifelong Madison native and gold medalist with stickers on team helmets, a banner bearing his jersey number 20 inside the Coliseum, and the ice rink named in his honor (Bob Suter Memorial Rink).{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
The Capitols began their first season back in the USHL on September 27, 2014, with a 4–3 loss at Muskegon. Luke McElhenie, a native of Sauk City, WI, scored the first goal in the new era of the Capitols. McElhenie previously played for Bob Suter and the Madison Capitols AAA program. Madison picked up its first victory in the USHL on October 24, defeating the Sioux Falls Stampede 3–1.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
Following the 2014–15 season, Luke Strand left the organization to accept an assistant coaching position at the University of Wisconsin–Madison under head coach Mike Eaves.{{cite web|url=http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/6/3/8718731/wisconsin-badgers-news-mens-hockey-luke-strand-mike-eaves|title=UW men's hockey hires Strand as top assistant|first=Nicole|last=Haase|date=3 June 2015}}
On June 10, 2015, it was announced that Troy G. Ward had been hired as the new head coach and general manager.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/524162?referrer_id=1348814-top-story|title=Madison Capitols Name Troy Ward Head Coach}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.madcapshockey.com/page/show/1075069-coaching-staff|title=Coaching Staff}} After one season, Troy Ward resigned his positions with the organization{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/caps-ward-resigns-as-head-coach-gm/n-5128086 |title=Caps' Ward Resigns as Head Coach/GM |publisher=OurSports Central |date=April 18, 2016}} and was replaced as head coach and general manager by Garrett Suter.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/suter-named-capitols-head-coach-gm/n-5144818 |title=Suter Named Capitols' Head Coach/GM |publisher=OurSports Central |date=May 18, 2016}}
On July 28, 2017, the Capitols announced that Andrew Joudrey was named the team's new president.{{Cite news|url=http://www.madcapshockey.com/news_article/show/818095?referrer_id=2835601|title=Capitols Change Venues; Name President|last=Capitols|first=Madison|date=2017-07-28|work=Madison Capitols|access-date=2017-07-28}} That same day, the team announced plans to relocate from the Alliant Energy Center to Hartmeyer Ice Arena for the 2017–18 season. Reasons cited for the move included a decrease in available dates for hockey at the Alliant Energy Center and a desire on the Capitols' part for better sightlines and fan experience.[http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/hockey/capitols-on-the-move-to-hartmeyer-ice-arena/article_4b842326-a514-597a-ada0-f03a02dd10a1.html "Capitols on the move to Hartmeyer Ice Arena,"] from Wisconsin State Journal, 7/28/2017 Negotiations between the Capitols and Hartmeyer management over needed facility upgrades would come to an impasse, and on September 11, the Capitols announced they would instead play the 2017–18 season at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena, a two-rink facility in suburban Middleton owned by Ryan Suter and named in father Bob Suter's memory. The Capitol Ice Arena, already a practice site for the Capitols, had a capacity of 1,300 fans for hockey, and became the smallest arena in the USHL. In the 2018 off-season, the Capitols renovated the rink to increase the capacity and add more suites.{{cite web |url=https://www.madcapshockey.com/news_article/show/909130?referrer_id=1191086 |title=Rink Renovations |publisher=Madison Capitols |date=April 18, 2018}} Head coach and general manager Garrett Suter stepped down after the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/garrett-suter-to-step-down-from-behind-the-bench/n-5613225 |title=Garrett Suter to Step Down from Behind the Bench |website=OurSports Central |date=March 30, 2020}}
Due to the on-going restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitols went on hiatus for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/cedar-rapids-roughriders-and-madison-capitols-will-not-participate-in-2020-21-ushl-season/n-5642996 |title=Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Madison Capitols Will Not Participate in 2020-21 USHL Season |website=OurSports Central |date=September 18, 2020}} The Capitols resumed play for the 2021–22 season.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
Season-by-season record
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Season !!GP !!W !!L !!OTL !!Pts !!GF !!GA !!PIM !!Finish !! Playoffs | ||||||||||
| 2014–15 | 60 | 24 | 25 | 11 | 59 | 172 | 212 | 1193 | 7th of 9, Eastern 12th of 17, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | 60 | 25 | 27 | 8 | 58 | 169 | 198 | 892 | 7th of 9, Eastern 13th of 17, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2016–17 | 60 | 23 | 32 | 5 | 51 | 135 | 192 | 851 | 7th of 9, Eastern 12th of 17, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2017–18 | 60 | 23 | 33 | 4 | 50 | 183 | 224 | 755 | 8th of 9, Eastern 15th of 17, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2018–19 | 62 | 15 | 38 | 9 | 39 | 145 | 249 | 822 | 9th of 9, Eastern 16th of 17, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2019–20 | 50 | 12 | 34 | 4 | 28 | 122 | 219 | 889 | colspan=2; align=left|Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |
| 2020-21 | | ||||||||||
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| - | colspan=2; align=left|Did not play due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||||
| 2021-22 | 62 | 30 | 29 | 3 | 63 | 233 | 233 | 758 | 5th of 8, Eastern 9th of 16, USHL | align=left|Lost Championship, 1-3 vs. Sioux City Musketeers |
| 2022-23 | 62 | 17 | 41 | 4 | 38 | 185 | 290 | 686 | 8th of 8, Eastern 16th of 16, USHL | align=left|Did not qualify |
| 2023-24
|62 |33 |23 |6 |72 |218 |206 |629 |5th of 8, Eastern |Lost Conference QF, 1-2 vs. Youngstown Phantoms |
Personnel
=NHL alumni=
- Alex Brooks, 1993-94{{Cite web |title=Alex Brooks - Stats, Contract, Salary & More |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/10257/alex-brooks |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.eliteprospects.com |language=en}}
- John Byce, 1985-86
- Don Granato, 1985-87{{Cite web |title=Don Granato at eliteprospects.com |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/6938/don-granato |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.eliteprospects.com |language=en}}
- Mark Osiecki, 1986-87{{Cite web |title=Mark Osiecki at eliteprospects.com |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/1840/mark-osiecki |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.eliteprospects.com |language=en}}
- Derek Plante, 1989–90{{cite web |url=http://web.ushl.com/news.php?news_id=1950 |title=United States Hockey League - USHL Awards Member Club to Madison, Wisconsin |access-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904092902/http://web.ushl.com/news.php?news_id=1950 |archive-date=2014-09-04 }}
- Brian Rafalski, 1990–91
= Awards and player recognition =
- Scott Owens – USHL General Manager of the Year, 1986–87
- Scott Owens – USHL Coach of the Year, 1987–88{{Cite web|url=http://www.madcapshockey.com/page/show/1075088-team-history|title=Team History}}
- Joe Harwell – 1988-89 All-USHL 1st Team
- Forrest Karr – 1994-95 All-USHL 2nd Team
- Ryan Edquist – 2015–16 USHL All-Rookie Team{{cite web |title=USHL Announces 2015-2016 All-Rookie Teams |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/646873-ushl-announces-all-rookie-teams |website=USHL.com}}
- Sam McCormick – 2015-16 All-USHL 3rd Team
- Michael Mancinelli – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team{{cite web |title=USHL 2017-2018 All-Rooke Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/913239 |website=USHL.com|date=May 2018 }}
- Mick Messner – 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team{{cite web |last1=USHL |first1=USHL |title=2017 NHL Draft Profile: Mick Messner |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/805000 |website=ushl.com |access-date=2 September 2018}}{{cite web |title=21 USHL Players Selected to US World Junior A Challenge Squad |url=https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2016/11/22/13714314/usa-hockey-world-junior-a-challenge-roster-2016-bonnyville |website=sbncollegehockey.com|date=22 November 2016 }}
- Ryan O'Reilly – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team, 2018 U.S. Junior Select Team{{cite web |title=2018 U.S. Junior Select Team Coaching Staff and Player Roster Unveiled |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/969278 |website=USAHockey.com|date=16 November 2018 }}
- Simon Latkoczy – 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team
- Ryan Kirwan – 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie Team
- Christian Stoever – 2019-20 All-USHL 3rd Team
- Luke Mittelstadt - 2021-22 All-USHL 1st Team
- Will Felicio - 2022-23 USHL All-Rookie Team
- Austin Burnevik - 2023-24 All-USHL 3rd Team
- Carsen Musser - 2023-24 All-USHL 3rd Team
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.madcapshockey.com/}}
{{USHL}}
{{Wisconsin Sports}}
Category:United States Hockey League teams
Category:Amateur ice hockey teams in Wisconsin
Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1984
Category:1984 establishments in Wisconsin
Category:Ice hockey clubs disestablished in 1991
Category:1991 disestablishments in Wisconsin
Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2014