NY Islanders' Prospect Quinn Finley Traded to Chicago Steel of USHL
NY Islanders' third-round selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft Quinn Finley, has been traded by the Madison Capitols to the Chicago Steel of the USHL. In exchange, Madison received Jack Brandt, 2023 first and second-round draft picks, and future considerations.
The Capitols selected Finley as the top overall pick in the 2020 USHL Entry Draft. He spent two seasons in Madison, totaling 66 points in 76 games, including a run to the Clark Cup Finals in 2021.
As Finley prepares to join his new teammates in the windy city, it won't be the first time he dons the Steel's sweater. In Finley's first USHL season, the Capitols canceled their season due to the COVID pandemic, as indoor gatherings were banned in Wisconsin. The Steel selected Finley in the Dispersal Draft, which allowed USHL organizations to choose players from Madison and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' whose arena was damaged, forcing them to cancel their season.
Finley would appear in 39 games for the Steel in their Clark Cup championship season, scoring one goal and five assists as a 16 year old. Teammates with Finley in Chicago was Adam Fantilli, Michigan University forward and number two overall prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft by Elite Prospects.
At the time of his departure, Finley was the second leading scorer for the bottom-dwelling Capitols, tallying 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists.) When Finey unpacks his bag in his new locker room, he will become the seventh leading scorer, as Chicago has five of the league's top ten scorers on their roster.
In Chicago, Finley will be joined by Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nicholas Moldenhauer and odds-on-favorite to be the top selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Macklin Celebrini. The Steel are currently atop the USHL Standings at 20-8-2.
Next season, Finley will return to Madison, as a a freshman with the University of Wisconsin Badgers.