Inside the Most Competitive CCM 68 Combine Yet
The 2025 CCM 68 Combine proved once again why it’s the premier stage for the top 14U boys and girls players from across North America. Hosted August 6–10, the event brought the best 2011 American and Canadians to Chicago for a week of elite competition, world-class instruction, and unforgettable experiences—raising the bar for what an elite hockey development event can be.
Opening Night: Inspiration from the Best in the Game
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The Combine officially began on October 6 with a high-energy Opening Night that set the tone for the week. Athletes were welcomed not only with their full CCM 68 gear packages—unboxed with plenty of excitement—but also with wisdom and inspiration from some of hockey’s most respected voices.
The CCM 68 Girls were joined by:
- Cara Gardner Morey – General Manager of the PWHL’s newest team in Vancouver, sharing insights on leadership, team culture, and building winning programs.
- Emerance Maschmeyer – Olympic gold-medal goaltender for Team Canada, inspiring the group with stories of resilience and performing under pressure.
- Dale Williams – CCM Hockey’s Global Sports Marketing Manager, highlighting the importance of diversity, inclusion, and growing the game.
The CCM 68 Boys heard from:
- Sacha Boisvert – 2024 first-round NHL Draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, speaking about his path from the USHL to NCAA success and chasing his NHL dream.
- Seth Appert – Buffalo Sabres assistant coach, offering advice on preparation, mindset, and competing every shift.
- Derek Lalonde – Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach, sharing lessons from his rise through every level of the game.
- Dale Williams – reinforcing CCM’s commitment to athlete development and brand partnerships.
Testing, Training, and New Additions
The action began early the next morning with on-ice and off-ice testing, capturing data on skating speed, agility, shooting, strength, and explosiveness. Players also had their official headshots taken before hitting the ice for their first practices.
A new highlight for 2025 was the Howies Hockey Stick Station, where athletes could get their brand-new CCM JetSpeed FT8 Pro sticks cut, taped, and game-ready—free of charge. The station quickly became a favorite hangout and a symbol of the event’s commitment to professional-level treatment for its players.
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From the Ice to the Lounge: A Full Athlete Experience
Games began that evening, and the Combine atmosphere shifted into high gear. NHL, junior, and college scouts were a constant presence in the building, evaluating every shift. The USHL presented to the boys, while Rock Performance led a session for all athletes on the mental side of performance.
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CCM Hockey elevated the player experience with their Player Lounge, where athletes could relax between games, try the latest CCM gear in the shooting lane, play PlayStation, and test their stickhandling skills on interactive setups.
Elite Competition at Its Finest
The 2025 CCM 68 Combine may go down as the most competitive year yet. Every game was fast, physical, and filled with highlight-reel plays. Players battled for every inch of ice, and the level of skill on display made it clear why these 136 athletes were chosen to represent their birth year.
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Looking Ahead: 2026 Dates & Future ID Camps
The CCM 68 Combine’s influence extends well beyond one week in October. On September 1st, 200×85 will announce the 2026 CCM 68 Combine and 2026 CCM 68 Futures ID Camp dates.
Several 2012-born players earned early invites to next year’s Combine after strong performances at the 2025 CCM 68 Future ID Camps. For 2013 birth year players, 2026 will be your chance to get on the scouting radar for the 2027 CCM 68 Combine and potentially earn an early invitation through a Future ID Camp.
The bar has been set high in 2025—but if this year proved anything, it’s that the next wave of hockey talent is ready to rise to the challenge.