Weekend Preview: Capitols Host the USA Hockey NTDP U18 Team For A Two-Game Set
The Madison Capitols (29-22-0-3) will host the USA Hockey NTDP U18 team (12-31-3-2) for a two-game set Friday and Saturday. Madison owns the season series 3-0 and has scored a combined 21 goals in those three meetings. The Capitols will enter the weekend in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Cedar Rapids and three points ahead of Chicago. The USNTDP team sits in last place in the conference but enters the weekend set with Madison after sweeping second-place Green Bay last weekend.

TEAM LEADERS
Madison:
Goals - Sam Kappell (21)
Assists - Nolen Geerdes (20)
Points - Sam Kappell (34)

USNTDP:
Goals - Carter Meyer, Nolan Fitzhenry (12)
Assists - Carter Meyer (15)
Points - Carter Meyer (27)

100 Club
Madison Capitols goaltender Caleb Heil played in his 100th career USHL game last Friday against the Youngstown Phantoms. Heil, 19, becomes just the 22nd goalie in league history to achieve this milestone. The Victoria, Minn., native ranks 10th all-time with 57 career wins, including 21 this season, the sixth most in the USHL. Heil is also tied for second for most shutouts this season with three and owns the league's fifth-best goals against average at 2.31. 

The night before, Madison Capitols head coach Andy Brandt earned his 100th USHL win. Brandt becomes the second head coach in Capitols history to win 100 games, behind Scott Owens' 115 wins.

Butella and Stout Shine Against Youngstown
Madison Capitols newcomer Eero Butella and veteran John Stout each recorded two goals in last weekend's series against the Youngstown Phantoms. Butella scored his first goal in a Capitols jersey in Thursday's win and added another in Saturday's game before netting the shootout winner. Both of Stout's goals came on the power play, his first two power-play goals of his career, and he also assisted on Butella's power-play goal in Saturday's contest. Butella and Stout's efforts helped the Capitols secure the season series, 3-1-0-1, over the league-leading Phantoms.

Following his weekend performance, Stout was named the USHL Defenseman of the Week for the first time this season. Stout is in his second full season with the Capitols and is committed to the University of Wisconsin. The alternate captain led the USHL in plus-minus rating during the 2025-26 season.

Tyden Bergeson Wins Minnesota's Mr. Hockey Award, State Title, and Returns to Madison
Madison Capitols forward Tyden Bergeson was named Minnesota's Mr. Hockey Award winner on Sunday. The award recognizes the most outstanding senior high school hockey player in the state each year. The selection committee includes scouts from the NHL, NCAA, and USHL. Established in 1985, previous winners include Casey Mittelstadt, Ryan McDonagh, and Nick Bjugstad.

Bergeson led the state with 52 assists to go along with 29 goals while capturing his second consecutive state championship with Moorhead High School. Prior to the high school season, Bergeson appeared in 16 games with Madison early in the USHL season, recording 11 goals and five assists.

Bergeson joined Madison after being selected in the fourth round (54th overall) of the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft. He will return to the Capitols for the remainder of the USHL season before continuing his hockey career at Augustana University.