It seems like years ago since the Capitols traded Quinn Finley to Chicago back in January, but the team is still reaping the benefits from the trade. The benefits started almost immediately as Jack Brandt exploded offensively after joining the team, but following the 2022-23 season, the teams announced the future considerations package of the deal included Chris Delaney, a two-year veteran player from Massachusetts.

Had Delaney had stayed with Chicago, he would've been the team's second leading returner in points heading into the 2023-24 season. Instead, the forward switched from Red and Black to Navy and Columbia just a couple of weeks after competing in the Eastern Conference Final against eventual champion Youngstown. While change can be handled in different ways, Delaney handled the change in stride.

"It was a couple of weeks after we got home that I got the call that I was coming here, and honestly, I couldn't be happier that I'm actually here. I think that the culture here is a little better, and I think everything about it fits me better. I think that I'm happier here."

It seems like the entire team is happier here in Madison this season with the team's 3-0-0-0 start to the season. The team is all reaping benefits from that start as fifteen players have found themselves on the score sheet already this season. That is a jump from eleven last season, and experience up front leads the way for Madison in that category.

The Capitols have nine players, including six forwards, at the beginning of their third season in the league. Delaney is one of those six forwards, and he has only spoken highly of the team's depth and new culture installed by first year Head Coach and GM Andy Brandt.

"It's been unbelievable. We've got a really good, deep team right now. I think we're becoming a new look, and I think we showed that in Pittsburgh to start off the year. We're just going to keep it rolling because we've got a really good squad...Personally, you want to score and make some plays, but I think going into your third year and being a vet all you want to do is win. I think that it's going to keep going and following our culture from what Coach Brandt wants us to do. We just want to win this year, become a new look Capitols, and really go for it this year."

Last week, he had the opportunity to face off against his former squad for the first time since joining Madison, and just about everyone in the building could tell that the game meant a bit more to Delaney than others on the schedule. When he was able to score in the second period to advance the Capitols lead to 5-3, he screamed in joy, not only after scoring the goal, but when he went by his former team's bench. Delaney said the following about the matchup against the team in which he wore their sweater for so long:

"[The game against Chicago] had been circled on my schedule for a long time...I mean, you spend two years with those guys, and you become really close with them. I have a couple of good buddies on that team, but when the puck drops, I've got no friends on that bench. I'm going to do whatever it takes to win."

Having the extra want to play against the Steel is something that the Capitols will surely embrace. Chicago and the Capitols are slated to play eight times this season, including four times in the first half of the season at Capitol Ice Arena.

If fans of the Capitols like players who aren't afraid to get to the dirty areas of the ice, get used to Chris Delaney. He compared himself to a childhood favorite of his, Brad Marchand when asked who he models his game after. Delaney said, "He's not the biggest player, but he likes to mix it up a little bit. He knows when to make the right play, and he's a smart player and knows how to put the puck in the back of the net."

It's been apparent since main camp, when Chris Delaney first put on the Capitols sweater that he gelled with Austin Burnevik on Team Gray. The two have only improved on their relationship since then playing in preseason games and now all three regular season games together. Delaney touched on his relationship with his line mate by saying:

"To start with [Burnevik], we started our relationship in main camp, and it's kind of grown since. He's a goal scorer and knows how to put the puck in the back of the net, and I think that I like to make the plays more than putting the puck in the back of the net. He also knows when to find me, and I can shoot the puck and score as well. We've had Rainers [Rullers] with us these first couple of weeks, and he's been clicking with us thus far as well."

The Capitols look to continue the winning ways and leaning on the experience on the roster this weekend in Lincoln. The matchups against the Stars will be the first between the two teams since the 2018-19 season when the teams split a two game series. Both games will be streamed live on FloHockey with puck drop scheduled for 6:05 pm on Saturday and 5:05 pm on Sunday.

The team returns home for a two-game series against the Muskegon Lumberjacks on October 13 and 14. The team is designating the weekend as 608 weekend as you'll get a beer and a brat for $6.08 at the games that weekend. Tickets to the 608 weekend's games and all Capitols games can be found at tickets.madcapshockey.com.

MC84 memberships, group tickets and experiences, suites, and other premium areas are now on sale. Gain access to these areas by calling the front office at 608-257-2277. 

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 as the team gears up for an exhilarating season ahead.

For more information, call 608-257-CAPS or visit madcapshockey.com.