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United States Hockey League (USHL)

Lightning Prospect Caleb Heil Continues To Develop And Impress In USHL

Lightning Prospect Caleb Heil Continues To Develop And Impress In USHL

Caleb Heil returned to Madison for another USHL season. The North Dakota commit has provided the Capitols consistency and a veteran presence.

Jan 26, 2026 by Jordan McAlpine
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Few goalies have more USHL experience than Caleb Heil in recent years.

The Victoria, Minn. product has played 89 games over parts of four seasons, beginning with Sioux Falls in 2022-23. Heil debuted as a promising 16-year-old – ironically against Madison – and still ranks among the top American goalie prospects today.

Heil, 19, had a big decision to make over the summer. The North Dakota commit had recently been drafted by the Tampa Bay Lighting (7th round, 193rd overall) and contemplated heading to Grand Forks. However, he opted to return to Madison – a decision he believes has worked out.

Heil is currently 14-5-3 for the Capitols and owns the USHL’s fourth-best GAA (2.33) and 11th-best save percentage (.897).

“I think at the end of the day, I made the right decision,” Heil said. “After last season I had to decide if I wanted to go to school or come back here. We had a good returning group with a bunch of Minnesota guys too, and I have so much trust in the coaches here. And I had a lot of good conversations with (North Dakota’s) coaches too about what would be best for me.

“I kinda thought there’d be no harm in coming back and playing a ton of games, and just take advantage of everything the USHL offers. So knowing I’m gonna have the net pretty much every night and that I’d be able to put myself in the best possible position heading into UND, that was huge for me.”

Heil has started 22 of Madison’s 38 games and stopped 455 of the 507 shots he’s seen in USHL action. He suffered a 3-0 loss on Jan. 18, which was his first regulation loss since Halloween, but responded with a pair of wins this past weekend.

Heil had gone 7-0-3 from Nov. 1 through Jan. 17 , although he’d been away for part of that stretch, as he represented his country twice. First at the World Junior A Challenge, followed by the World Junior Championships earlier this month – representing his country in his home state, which Heil called a ‘surreal experience.’

Heil went 3-1-0 with a .933 save percentage and helped Team USA win the WJAC, doing so for his Madison head coach Andy Brandt – who led the U.S. to its 11th all-time WJAC gold medal.

“Caleb didn’t have to attend (the WJAC). He could’ve easily passed up on that opportunity and gone straight to the World Junior camp, but that’s not his nature,” Brandt said. “He wanted that opportunity to wear the USA jersey and he always wants to win, no matter the situation. So between both tournaments and the way he’s played for us here (in Madison), I think it’s all added another level of confidence to his game.”

From his puck handling to his skating, or his big-save ability, Heil has done plenty to impress Brandt and Madison's staff over the past 20 months.

Brandt added Heil is the ‘backbone’ of his club, and praised his consistency – something Heil said has been a focus this winter.

“Caleb is a difference-maker,” Brandt said. “He’s a major difference-maker for us and when he was away at World Junior A and the World Junior (championships), our team certainly missed him in Madison. Not just the goaltending piece, but more importantly his professionalism, dedication and the way he approaches each day.

“We’ve still got a pretty young group this season and for them to be around Caleb and his mindset, and have that veteran presence, I think it’s invaluable. He’s such a steady and calm presence in the net, and it gives everyone a little extra confidence knowing he’s back there.”

Madison acquired Heil shortly after the 2023-24 season, as he was searching for a fresh start. Heil played 28 games for Sioux Falls and has now played 61 games for the Caps, along with six playoff games last spring.

Heil’s season started at Tampa Bay’s training camp, and he made an appearance in an NHL preseason game in Nashville on Sept. 24.

He’s followed it up with the two international tournaments and a solid USHL campaign, and he wants to finish this season on a high note.

“To be honest, I wasn’t really thrilled when I first found out I was being traded to Madison,” Heil said. “Once you get here, you realize what the organization is all about, and I’ve honestly loved my time here.

“The coaches and staff here have all been unbelievable, and we’ve had a couple great groups of guys as well. So I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. I’m really happy with how the trade worked out, and this place has done so much for me and my development. And I just want to give this team a chance to win every night and hopefully we can put together a cup run.”

Madison (21-14-0-3) has won three straight and will host Omaha this Friday and Saturday. Both games are set for 7:05 p.m. CT and will be available here on FloHockey.

2026 Omaha Lancers vs Madison Capitols


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