Following a successful two days of the USHL Draft, the Capitols now have a full IPL(Initial Protected List) of 45 players heading into the summer of 2024. This list will be narrowed down in June at Capitols Main Camp as players will battle for roster spots for the Capitols.

Last season, Madison selected three NTDP players and selected another player in the first round this season in Kristian Epperson. Epperson, selected at ninth overall, is a native of Mequon, Wisconsin, and is committed to play collegiately at Michigan following his junior career.

In the second round, at pick 26 overall, the Capitols added Ian Scherzer, an Austrian forward. Scherzer played last season with Rögle BK J20 in Sweden and also played for his country's World Junior team as well. Scherzer is committed to play collegiately at Miami.

With two picks in the third round, Madison added two more forwards. With the 39th overall pick, the Caps selected Swedish forward Leo Bergström. Bergström comes in after finishing his second full season with Skellefteå AIK J20 in Sweden, the same league as Scherzer.

Madison then added Drew Waterfield with the 42nd pick. Waterfield played with Shattuck-St. Mary's 18U Prep team last season registering near a point per game. The forward has played alongside Ryker Lee for a very long time dating back to their Team Illinois AAA days. Waterfield is committed to Yale.

After four forwards to start the draft, the Caps selected right-shot defenseman Austin Moline with the 52nd overall selection in the draft. Like Waterfield, Moline also spent last season with Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep team, his second season at the Prep level. Moline is committed to Northern Michigan.

Two picks after Moline, the Capitols added forward Tyden Bergeson to the mix. Bergeson spend last season with Moorhead HS, and as a sophomore, was third on his team in points with 37, which includes 20 goals in 27 games.

At pick 69 overall, the Capitols added forward Sammy Smith. Smith played last season with the Windy City Storm 16U AAA recording 70 points in 56 games.

With the 85th overall pick, Madison added Alex Lunski out of Minnetonka HS in Minnesota where he played with John Stout. Lunski comes in at 6'4" tall and was on NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings at #196 among North American Skaters. Lunski is committed to play at St. Thomas.

The Capitols added a second defenseman at pick 116th overall selecting Mason Roy of the Halton Hurricanes U16 AAA team. The Canadian born, left-shot defenseman played games at both the U16 & U18 level during the 2023-24 season while being a 2008 born player.

At pick 131st overall, the Caps pick Aron Jessli out of Niagara University. Jessli played in 28 games as a freshman last season and recorded four points. Prior to his time at Niagara, Jesse played two seasons with pickering of the OJHL.

Madison then selected their first goalie of the draft with Cash Cruitt at pick 146. The Andover HS(MN) product played in 16 games as a sophomore recording a 7-3-0 record with a .911 save percentage. 

With the 161st pick in the draft, Madison selected Lucas Prud'homme out of St. Andrew's College. Prud'homme is a 6'2", 2007 birth year forward from Ottawa who is committed to Quinnipiac.

With the team's final pick in the USHL Draft, Madison selected Cooper Snee out of Avon Old Farms. Snee, a forward who also played with the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U AAA, recorded 18 points in 27 games. Snee is committed to Providence College. 

Over two days of the USHL Draft, the Capitols added seventeen forwards, five defenseman, and one goalie. This goes along with the team trading draft picks to acquire Caleb Heil and Ajay White on Tuesday morning.

The next step for the Capitols 2024-25 roster is Main Camp, which will run June 12-15 in Middleton. More details will follow about which games are open to the public.

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.

Visit the Capitols website: madcapshockey.com

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