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USHL Madison Capitols

Capitols' Offseason Features Few off Days

April 22, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Madison, WI - The Madison Capitols wound down their first season back in the United States Hockey League on April 11. For associate head coach Keith Paulsen, assistant coach Tony Hrkac, and forward Ryan Lohin, however, it was not a time for rest.

As has become the norm for so many sports leagues at all levels, the term "off-season" is very much an anomaly. The trio of Capitols reconvened in West Chester, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia, to evaluate future prospects on the East Coast. It is merely the first stop on a summer that will have no shortage of review and evaluation. Capitols head coach Luke Strand explained how, even in the USHL, the job is truly a 365-day-a-year task.

"You definitely have to focus on today, your every day roster that's going to be an impact for us a year from now," said Strand. "We have to keep our affiliate lists in mind, which is 18 more players out there that we would love to see matriculate into our active roster. They deserve and need the attention, but you need to continuously replenish that list of players and replenish our active roster."

To aid in the replenishment of the roster, Paulsen and Hrkac have been no strangers to travel over the past season. Strand estimates that his colleagues have seen close to 10,000 players throughout the country over the last 12 months.

"To sort, track, and have the ability to recall and see how (prospects) fit our criteria as a player, that's a big part of what happens (in the offseason)," said Strand.

The prospects camp in West Chester is just one step in a nationwide effort by Capitols coaches to track down the best talent in a country that has seen immense growth at the youth hockey level, particularly in non-traditional hockey markets.

"We're going to make every effort to find every player that's out there," said Strand. "If we have to travel to go find them and search them out, we will. Some are just late bloomers, and those players shouldn't be wiped off the map in our mind."

The weekend camp also provided a unique perspective for the 18-year-old Lohin, a commit to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The Chadds Ford, Pa. native recorded 26 points in his first USHL season.

"It was neat to answer questions for some kids who maybe didn't know too much about the league or the junior level, and I think getting out there and talking to the kids and parents, even if I could help out a little bit, it was well worth it," said Lohin.

Lohin was one of an astounding 30 Capitols who laced up for their first USHL game in the 2014-15 season. A squad that began the season with less than 100 career points in the league could now return over 900 man-games of experience and over 300 points, according to Strand.

"I think coming in, everybody was a little hesitant, not knowing the coaches, not knowing the facilities, not knowing really anything about the junior experience," Lohin said in reflection of the first season. "I think coming together with the returning players, we're going to hit the ground running (in 2015-16)."

While the forward chalked up team chemistry and bonding as his fondest memory from the first season, he has quickly shifted his focus to the new season, even though it sits five months in the distance.

"I want to have a positive effect on each and every game I play in, whether it's goals, assists, big hits. I think for a team goal, it's to win the Clark Cup," said Lohin. "That's the ultimate goal, and I think we have the team to do it with the returning guys, affiliates, and draft picks Coach Strand will have coming in. I'm excited to get out there."

Madison Capitols 2015-16 season tickets and 12-game packages for next season are available now by visiting www.MadCapsHockey.com . Fans who pay in full for season tickets by June 1 will receive a specialty Season Ticket Holder jersey. Packages can also be purchased by calling (608) 257-CAPS (2277).

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