Weekend Recap: 2023 CCM World Invite

The World Invite Hits New Levels for 20th Anniversary

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The CCM World Invite celebrated its 20th anniversary this past weekend in Chicago. There were 526 teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain, and across the United States in Chicago for the biggest event of the year. The World Invite started, as always, with a party. Seven Bridges Ice Arena was the destination for the Opening Night presented by DuPage Sports Commission where teams came to check-in and enjoy the festivities. 

 

Center stage for opening night included Feature Games presented by StickGrip and Oberto. These games featured ceremonial puck drops from Danny Wirtz, Coach Chippy, Jacob and Olly, the Hanson Brothers, and DuPage Sports Commission. Jim Cornelison, Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer, even presented “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Oh Canada” to lead off some games. Off the ice the building was packed with attendees enjoying the world famous Coach & Manager Reception presented by Live Barn, Hockey Hall of Fame Display presented by Absopure, Howies Hockeyville, CCM Stick Demos, celebrity appearances, live music and more.

 

The next day kicked off the games as 526 teams across 26 divisions took to the ice. Below are the division champions and Howies Hockey MVPs.

JUMP TO BIRTH YEAR: 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 15U | 16U | 18U

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2014 Divisions

2014 Supertacks Division

Champion: Battery Byers Hockey

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Colton Steckel, #33

The opening game for the 2014 Supertacks Division may have resulted in a shutout victory for Battery Byers Hockey. However, by the end of the day they were 1-1 after losing to the Chicago Fury 4-1. Battery bounced back with a Saturday morning win to secure the 5th seed and defeat the Boston Junior Terriers in the quarter-final. The semi-final would be a test as the Chicago Fury stood in their path to the finals. In this rematch, Battery would be victorious and advance to the final. Their last opponent of the weekend would be the Chicago Reapers. The Reapers were smothering the competition, having shutout four out of five opponents on the weekend. The Reapers were unable to keep Battery out of their net as Battery ended up prevailing 5-4. 

2014 Ribcor Division

Champion: Kensington Valley Renegades

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Max Walsh, #31

The championship match would come down to two unbeaten offensive powerhouses, the Kensington Valley Renegades and the St. Louis Eagles. The Eagles were averaging 6.67 goals per game, and Renegades were averaging 7.32 goals per game. As expected, it was a high-scoring final as the teams combined for 12 goals. The Renegades completed their undefeated weekend with an 8-4 championship victory.

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2013 Divisions

2013 Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Reapers

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Adler Zanowski, #10

Following their 4-0 semi-final shutout victory over the Oakland Jr Grizzlies, Team Illinois would to face the Chicago Reapers in the final. The in-state rivals each had perfect 5-0-0 records entering the match. The championship was tight with little room for error as it came down to a single goal. The Chicago Reapers edged out Team Illinois 3-2 to earn their banner.

2013 Jetspeed Division

Champion: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite – Wynn

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Landon Herrick, #31

Still undefeated but with two ties in pool play, the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite – Wynn advanced to the playoff. Two victories later they would find themselves with a 3-0-2 record and a spot in the championship match versus the Tampa Jr Bulls. The Bulls stampeeded through the semi-finals with a 6-1 victory versus the St. Clair Shores Saints Red and were looking to complete the mission. The Pens had other plans as they netted 5 goals on their way to a 5-1 victory.

2013 Ribcor Division

Champion: Northern Express

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Mason Edwards, #32

From 24 teams down to four, the Jr Sun Devils Elite, Northern Express, Orland Park Vikings, and Texas Tigers were on to the semi-final round. Of these four, the Northern Express were the only remaining team with a perfect record, and they showed why as they shut out the Jr Sun Devils Elite. In the other match the Tigers and the Vikings battled in a tight match that resulted in the Vikings 2-1 victory. The Vikings gave the Express a challenge but fell short in the end. The Express won 4-2 to earn their banner and hats.

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2012 Divisions

2012 Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Reapers

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Caleb Wertheimer, #39

The final four included three Illinois teams, two of which were unbeaten. Both the Chicago Mission and Team Illinois were attempting to retain their perfect records. Team Illinois would face the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, while the Mission would face the Chicago Reapers. Team Illinois continued their streak, but the Mission would fall 4-1 to the Reapers. Though the Reapers did not have a perfect record, they were 4-0-1 with the only blemish on their record being a 6-6 tie with the St. Louis AAA Blues. The two in-state rivals took to the ice for the final match, and the Reapers did not let off the pedal. By the final score of 6-2, the Chicago Reapers defeated Team Illinois to claim their title.

2012 Jetspeed Division

Champion: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite – Ciocca

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Parker Chimenti, #88

Opening the weekend with a 3-3 tie versus the West Dundee Leafs was not the start the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite – Ciocca had in mind. Three wins later, they were on to the semi-finals versus the Sylvania North Stars. This game may have been the tightest game of the weekend. The Pens Elite squeezed by the North Stars 1-0 to advance to face the Lake County Vipers in the finals. The Vipers entered the championship with a matching 4-0-1 record, but they did not end the game with a matching record. The Pens Elite defeated the Vipers 4-1 to claim their banner and the title as a CCM World Invite Champion.

2012 Ribcor Division

Champion: Carolina Stars

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Cole Schmidt, #14

A 4-1 semi-final victory over the Chicago Hawks locked the undefeated Chicago Jets into the championship match. Their opposition would be the Carolina Stars. The Stars were rolling until they lost their final pool play game versus the Chicago Blues but had bounced back with a semi-final win over the Orland Park Vikings. The Jets came into the championship averaging 5.7 goals per game, but they struggled to get the offense going in the final. The Stars held the Jets to only one goal and won the match 2-1 to earn their title as champions.

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2011 Divisions

2011 Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Reapers

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Masen Van Patten, #21

After sweeping through the pool play and quarter-finals, the Chicago Reapers punched their ticket to the finals with their third shutout victory of the weekend in the semi-finals versus the Windy City Storm. Their opposition in the finals would be an in-state rival coming off a 3-1 semi-final victory over the Czech Knights, the Chicago Mission. Each team had a perfect record on the weekend and had earned that record defeating some tough competition. With the title on the line in each team’s hometown, the stakes were high, but the Reapers really brought it to the Mission. The Reapers defeated the Mission 7-1 to claim their title, banner and hats.

2011 Jetspeed Division

Champion: Eastman Selects South Black

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Alex Saurette, #1

We almost had an Eastman Selects final in the 2011 Jetspeed division. The Eastman Selects North White and Eastman Selects South Black each had a 4-1-0 record coming into the semi-finals. The Eastman Selects South Black defeated the California Bears 5-2 to lock in their spot in the championship, but the Eastman Selects North White fell 6-3 to the Windsor Jr Spitfires AAA. The Jr Spitfires were undefeated with a 5-0-1 record entering the final and were looking to bring a fresh banner through customs and over the border. The Eastman Selects South Black had no intention of the banner hanging in an Ontario rink, and they showed it on the scoreboard. The Eastman Selects South Black defeated the Jr Spitfires 7-4 to claim the title.

2011 Ribcor Division

Champion: Chicago Jets

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Noah Thomas, #75

The Chicago Jets made quick work of pool play, but the playoffs would take extra. In the quarter-finals the Jets faced the undefeated Grand Rapids Griffins and escaped with a 3-2 overtime victory to advance. The St. Jude Knights, who were also undefeated and coming off a quarter-final overtime victory, were their next opponent. Again, the Jets would require overtime to advance. The Jets would now face their third straight undefeated team, the Des Moines Jr Buccaneers. The Jr Buccaneers were coming off a 3-1 victory over the Saint Clair Shores Saints and proved to be a solid match for the Jets as the championship game was tight. The Jets hung on to avoid overtime, defeating the Jr Buccaneers 2-1 to earn their championship banner.

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2010 Divisions

2010 Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Reapers

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Logan Campion, #98

After a tough offensive start out the gate with a 3-3 tie versus the Indiana Elite and a 1-0 victory over the Milwaukee Jr Admirals, the Chicago Reapers exploded with 19 goals over the next three games to secure their spot in the championship. They were very familiar with their final opponent, the Chicago Fury. The Fury was riding a high coming off a 6-5 overtime victory over Top Gun Elite and would challenge the Reapers. The Reapers locked it down in the championship, shutting out the Fury 4-0 to win the title, banner, and hats.

2010 Jetspeed Division

Champion: Jersey Hitmen

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Cameron Augustoni, #11

The North Central Predators, Jersey Hitmen and the Sylvania North Stars were the final teams with perfect records come Saturday night. However, Sunday morning’s games wwould change that. The Predators were upset by CP Dynamo in overtime, and the North Stars fell to the Hitmen. Both remaining teams were still unbeaten, but CP Dynamo did suffer a tie in pool play. The New York based Dynamo would have their hands full with the Hitmen, and the championship match was tight. The Jersey Hitmen were the 3-2 victors, as they earned their championship banner and wrapped up their 6-0-0 undisputed weekend.

2010 Ribcor Division

Champion: Connecticut Jr Rangers Premier

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Leonardo Augugliaro, #44

The Connecticut Jr Rangers Premier were the only out-of-state team remaining in the semi-finals, but they were not the only remaining team with a perfect record. The Northwest Chargers defeated the Chicago Bulldogs to punch their ticket to the final and add another win to their perfect record. The Jr. Rangers added to their perfect record with a 4-3 overtime victory over the West Dundee Leafs. Both 5-0-0 teams took to the ice for the championship match, and when it came down to the final buzzer, the ice was littered with the red, white and blue gear of the Jr Rangers. The Jr Rangers had earned their title with this 3-1 win in the finals.

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2009 Divisions

2009 Supertacks Crosby Division

Champion: Little Caesars

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Sarvir Jaworski, #93

The OMGHA Bantam AA may have defeated the Barrie Colts 6-2 in their pool play match, but they would have to do it again in the semi-finals. Regulation came to a conclusion with the game tied 4-4. It would take extra hockey to determine the victor and the Minnesota-based OMGHA Bantam AA advanced to the final. After that scare, OMGHA Bantam AA were certainly not going to take Little Caesars lightly. Little Caesars was prepared to finish the job and did so by a final score of 5-2. 

2009 Supertacks Ovechkin Division

Champion: Elk River Bantam AA

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Evan Rotz, #10

Coming off a 2-0 shutout victory over the New Jersey Rockets, the Milwaukee Jr Admirals were ready to face Elk River Bantam AA. Elk River had made a statement thus far throughout the weekend. Elk River started with back-to-back shutout victories on day one of the event and followed it up with 11 goals over their next three victories. The final came down to the wire and Elk River held on to their 3-2 in the end and earn their title.

2009 Jetspeed Division

Champion: St. Louis Sting

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Thomas Kaplin, #5

The path to the final was no easy journey for the St. Louis Sting. The Sting would need overtime to defeat the Dallas Penguins in round one, Northwest Chargers in the quarter-finals, and PHA Icemen in the semi-finals. After these three overtime wins, they would rematch Orchard Lake Red. The Michigan-based team had accumulated five victories throughout the weekend, but their one loss coming at the hands of the St. Louis Sting. The Sting shutdown Orchard Lake’s efforts to avenge their previous loss as the Sting went on to defeat them 4-0 and claim their title.

2009 Ribcor Division

Champion: Rochester Rattlers Black

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Brayden Buckler, #10

The Plymouth Flyers were coming off back-to-back 3-1 victories and were riding a perfect record into the final. They would face the Rochester Rattlers Black, a team that tied its opening match but had been perfect since. The Rattlers were not intimidated by the Michigan-based Flyers. By the final score of 6-2 the Rattlers were victorious.

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15 Only Divisions

15 Only Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Mission

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Jake Windbiel, #34

The Chicago Mission was on fire heading into the championship match. With their 5-1 semi-final victory over Team Illinois, they had only given up three goals through five games. Their final opponent would be a neighbor from the north, Team Wisconsin. Team Wisconsin had shown that they had a nose for the net, through five games they averaged 4.4 goals per game. In the final, the Mission got the better of team Wisconsin, blanking them by the final score of 4-0.

15 Only Jetspeed Division

Champion: Oakland Jr Grizzlies

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Joey Mazzola, #88

Opening the weekend with a 1-0 shutout loss to the Naperville Sabres was not the ideal start the Oakland Jr Grizzlies had hoped for. At the end of pool play they had a 1-2-0 record and barely qualified for the quarter-finals. After their quarter-finals victory they had a rematch with the West Dundee Leafs, who shut them out 2-0 in pool play. The Jr Grizzlies flipped the script and defeated the Leafs, only to get the chance to rematch the Naperville Sabres in the final. It was almost like a movie, where the only road to the top had to go through the teams that had beaten you in the past. In the final the Jr Grizzlies got their vengeance with a 2-1 championship victory.

15 Only Ribcor Division

Champion: St. Louis Sting

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Kyle Koch, #19

After their 6-0 semi-final victory, the St. Louis Sting were moving on to face the Chicago Bulldogs in the final. This would be the second time these teams would face off in the weekend. The Bulldogs beat the Sting 5-3 on Friday in pool play, but this game was for all the marbles. In a tight clash, the Sting avenged their previous loss with a 4-3 championship victory to earn their title.

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16U Divisions

16U Supertacks Division

Champion: Chicago Fury

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Wyatt Sypniewski, #80

After a tie versus the Vegas Jr Golden Knights in their opening match, the Chicago Fury got rolling. Following two pool play victories, they sent the Twin City Mavericks and Madison Capitols home in the playoffs en route to the championship. Their final game would be a rematch versus Minnesota SDP Elite, who they edged out 2-1 earlier in the weekend. SDP Elite tripled their goal count from their previous match, however the Fury did the same in their 6-3 championship victory.

16U Jetspeed Division

Champion: Lake County Vipers

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Will Grinton, #65

Defeating the Lake County Vipers in their opening game of the weekend was exactly the start the Affton Amerians were looking for. However, following it up with two pool play losses was not what they envisioned. The Americans picked up steam once in the playoffs as they registered back-to-back shutout victories, which led them to a semi-final match versus the Chicago Hawks. Having lost to the Hawks in pool play 4-1, they knew they had a challenge on their hands. It took overtime, but the Americans defeated the Hawks 4-3 to advance to rematch the Lake County Vipers. The Vipers’ path to the final differed from the Americans. Since their loss to the Americans, the Vipers were unbeaten. The final proved to be a tight match between familiar foes, this time the Vipers came out on top by the final score of 5-4.

16U Ribcor Division

Champion: Indy Jr. Fuel

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Matt Sell, #53

Two consecutive 2-1 victories in the playoffs brought the Toronto Eagles to 5-0-1 and locked them into a championship match with the undefeated Indy Jr Fuel. On Sunday, both the Eagles and the Fuel had won each of their quarter-final and semi-final games by only a goal and the championship would be no different. The Jr Fuel would hold off the Eagles 2-1 to earn their championship banner.

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18U Divisions

18U Supertacks Division

Champion: Madison Capitols

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Harper Frey, #30

The 18U Supertacks Championship came down to the final two unbeaten teams. The Madison Capitols did not only have a perfect record of 5-0-0, but they had been shutting down the competition all weekend. The Capitols had only surrendered six goals in their five games leading up to the championship. The New Jersey Colonials, their opposition, had a 4-0-1 record. In possibly the tightest championship match of the weekend, regulation would not resolve anything. In overtime the Capitols prevailed 4-3 to earn their banner.

18U Ribcor Division

Champion: Chicago Hawks & Orland Park Vikings

Howie’s Hockey MVP: Liam LeCauchois, #58 – Chicago Hawks

The Chicago Hawks were dominant all weekend. Not only were they undefeated entering the championship, but they had registered three shutout victories along the way. The Orland Park Vikings kicked off the weekend with a loss, but turned it on after winning five straight and holding their opponent to one goal or less in each game. What was sure to be a fantastic championship match was unfortunately cut short due to injury. We are happy to say that the player is in great condition.

 

We want to thank all the attending players, coaches, and families for joining us for helping make the 20th Anniversary of the CCM World Invite a fantastic weekend of high-competition and fun. Next up is the 2023 CCM Girls World Invite. Even though the season has begun, there is still limited availability in select divisions of our upcoming events, click here to see the 2023-24 event line-up.