Madison Capitols ( 1984 - 1995 ) The Madison Capitols were a Junior " A " team that played in Madison , Wisconsin . They played in the United States Hockey League from 1984 to 1995 . From 1991 on they were known as the Wisconsin Capitols . History . Start of a Franchise ( 1984 – 91 ) . The Madison Capitols began as a team in 1984 , also competing in the USHL at the time , and played for 11 consecutive seasons . During this time , the Capitols played in the Hartmeyer Ice Arena , posting a 207 - 278 - 16 record , playing a total of 530 games . The team was coached by Bob Suter from 1984 - 1986 , posting a 35 - 48 - 3 - 10 record . Following what was a mild start to the Franchise , Scott Owens took over coaching duties in 1986 and started a winning franchise , posting a 136 - 85 - 9 - 10 record through 1991 . Owens would then move on to coach the Des Moines Buccaneers and Colorado College , thus ending the age of the Madison Capitols . Wisconsin Capitols ( 1991 – 95 ) . With the departure of Owens , the Madison Capitols also re - branded themselves as The Wisconsin Capitols in 1991 . Hiring Steve Huglen as the head coach for the 1991 - 1992 campaign , a University of Illinois Defensemen , the Capitols looked to continue their winning ways . Unfortunately , after posting an 11 - 37 - 0 season , the writing was on the wall . The 1992 - 1993 campaign saw the departure of Huglen , and the addition of Mike Dibble as head coach , who would not last long . The team posted a 2 - 21 - 2 record and Dibble was replaced by Rob Andriga mid - season , who would coach the Capitols to a 4 - 19 - 1 record , finishing at 6 - 39 - 2 - 1 season record . In the 1993 - 1994 season , Duffy was still coaching the Wisconsin Capitols , along with the additions of Don Granato , and Brian Duffy , at the time of writing , individual statistics for each coach throughout the season were not available . The Capitols would post a 9 - 37 - 1 - 3 record this season , second to their worst . The end of the Wisconsin Capitols and USHL hockey in Madison was close to an end . The final season of the Capitols in Madison in 1995 - 1996 , saw the return of Duffy , who would post a 3 - 8 - 0 record as head coach . The replacement coach , Len Semplice would finish the season with a 7 - 29 - 1 record , totaling a team season record of 10 - 37 - 1 . The Wisconsin Capitols would no longer be a USHL team after this season . The team folded in 1995 . Awards . Scott Owens was named the USHL General Manager of the year for the 1986 - 1987 season and USHL Coach of the year for the 1987 - 1988 season . Notable players . Brian Rafalski played for the Madison Capitols during the 1990 – 1991 season , and would go on to play in the NHL for 11 seasons , winning the Stanley Cup three times with the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings . Derek Plante played for the Madison Capitols during the 1989 – 1990 season . and would go on to play in the NHL for 8 seasons , winning the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 . Notable draft picks . The Madison Capitols have been host to a few NHL players at some point in their career , listed below are all players that have been drafted into the NHL , and had played at some point with the Capitols .