USHL Madison Capitols

USHL Phase I Draft Preview

Published on May 5, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Madison Capitols News Release


Starting Monday, the 2024 USHL Draft will take place over two days. Being split up into two phases, the draft will cover players for the future and for the present on May 6 & 7.

To start things off on May 6th is the annual Phase I Draft. Skaters eligible for the Phase I Draft this season are skaters born only in 2008. Many refer to this draft as the "Futures" portion of the draft as a large majority of players taken will spend the following season on the given team's affiliated list.

Last season, Madison held two of the first eight picks in the draft, including the first overall selection. With that first pick, the Capitols selected Sam Kappell, who appeared in 34 games this season registering ten points. With the eighth overall selection, Madison selected Mason Moe. Moe skated in 12 games recording two points.

Besides the two players taken early in the draft, Madison had only one other play taken in the Phase I Draft earn playing time this season. That player was Madison native Harper Frey who played in two games for the Capitols. In his debut, Frey recorded an assist on the game winning goal.

Of Capitols players rostered in 2023-24, thirteen players roots in the USHL started with the Phase I Draft. This includes the Capitols captain, Ethan Elias, who was drafted in the 10th round of the 2019 Phase I Draft.

Historically, the Capitols tend to lean towards selecting forwards in the Phase I Draft with 57.9% of Madison players selected playing up front. Of 95 players selected since the team's reintegration into the USHL in 2014, Madison has only selected five goalies in the Phase I Draft. Of the five goaltenders selected, all but one played or is currently playing at the division one level giving it the highest hit rate of any position at 80%.

As mentioned earlier, Sam Kappell was drafted first overall last year during the annual draft. It was the second time that Madison has selected first in the Phase I Draft. The first time came in 2020 when the Capitols selected Quinn Finley. Finley now plays at the University of Wisconsin.

Besides the first overall selections, Madison has selected inside the top five four other times since 2014 totaling six times total. Besides Kappell, who is still on the Capitols roster, the other five players all went on to play division one hockey. Four of those other five players were selected in the NHL Draft as well.

Madison will not be selecting in the first five picks this season. In fact, the Capitols' first pick will not be until the 22nd overall selection in the draft because of the team using their tender. Jet Kwajah, a right-shot defenseman, was tendered in March for Madison. As a result of using their tender, Madison forfeits their first round pick in the Phase I Draft.

The Capitols are projected to select nine times during the Phase I Draft on Monday. The Capitols projected picks are:

2nd Round: 22nd Overall

3rd Round: 30th Overall (OMA)

5th Round: 67th Overall (WAT)

5th Round: 68th Overall

6th Round: 82th Overall

6th Round: 86th Overall (GB)

8th Round: 112th Overall

10th Round: 141st Overall (TC)

10th Round: 142nd Overall

Coverage for the USHL Phase I Draft can be found on the USHL's YouTube page as well as by following along with the Capitols social media accounts. The draft is scheduled to start at 4:00 pm CT.

Although the season may be done, we still encourage you to stay connected with the Madison Capitols on social media and the team's official website for the latest updates, news, and behind-the-scenes content.

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2024


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