Capitols pick Messner, Suter in USHL draft

The Madison Capitols began their 2015 off-season in Phase One of the 2015 USHL Draft Monday night

The “Futures Draft” centers on players from the 1999 birth year. In total, Madison added eight players to their protected lists.

Among the Capitols’ Phase One choices were two Wisconsin natives, including their first selection of the night, Mick Messner, a product of Madison West High School and Team Wisconsin.

Messner scored 33 goals over his past two seasons with Madison West. He is already committed to the University of Wisconsin, joining Tony Stillwell as the first Capitols to be Badgers commits.

Madison bookended their Phase One draft by selecting the Madison Capitols AAA program’s Branden Suter with their 10 th round selection. The young defenseman is the cousin of Capitols owner and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter.

Madison will complete its second USHL Draft on Tuesday during Phase Two, which will begin at 8:00 a.m. (CDT).

The draft’s second day is open to players of all ages eligible to play in the USHL and not currently under the protection of another USHL franchise.