The 23rd annual CCM World Invite delivered a weekend worthy of the record books, bringing together 556 teams from across North America for four days of elite youth hockey, unforgettable experiences and championship competition throughout Chicagoland.

With 37 venues hosting 1,253 games, this year’s tournament set a new event record for participation, surpassing every previous edition of one of youth hockey’s premier tournaments. From an Opening Night packed with hockey personalities and interactive experiences to championship games that came down to the final seconds, the 2026 CCM World Invite showcased the talent, passion and excitement that make the game special.

Opening Night Brings the Hockey World Together

The weekend got off to an electric start with the CCM World Invite Opening Night presented by the DuPage Sports Commission at Seven Bridges Ice Arena. With hockey personalities, creators, interactive attractions and featured matchups filling the building, Opening Night delivered its most enhanced experience yet.

Coach Chippy, Swaggy Pete, Pavel Barber, Olly Postanin, Jacob Ardown, the Hanson Brothers, the Blues Brothers and plenty of other familiar faces were in the house, bringing their personalities and energy to an already electric atmosphere. From the featured games on the main floor to the action unfolding upstairs at Howies Hockeyville, there was no shortage of entertainment for players, families and fans.

PHOTOS: The Party Before the Puck Drop: Opening Night Photos

One of the biggest additions to this year’s festivities was the debut of the CCM Performance Lab. Attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on with CCM’s latest hockey equipment, put their abilities to the test through interactive skills challenges and experience the game in a different way with virtual reality games. The Performance Lab represented the most enhanced Opening Night experience in event history, giving players and families even more opportunities to engage with the game beyond the rink.

CWENCH Games Steal the Show

The spotlight shifted to the ice for the CWENCH Games, where Coach Chippy, Swaggy Pete, Pavel Barber, Olly Postanin and Jacob Ardown traded their usual content-creating routines for some friendly competition.

What followed was a combination of wacky antics, incredible displays of skill and plenty of crowd interaction. The group brought their signature personalities to the ice, turning the competition into a show that had the crowd cheering from start to finish.

When the dust settled, the decision was left to the people. The crowd made its voice heard, and Coach Chippy emerged victorious, claiming the inaugural CWENCH Games Crown.

WATCH: CWENCH Games Highlights

With the energy inside Seven Bridges reaching a fever pitch, Opening Night had officially set the tone for a weekend of hockey that would be just as memorable.

A Record-Breaking Weekend of Competition

Once the puck dropped across Chicagoland, the focus shifted to the teams chasing a CCM World Invite championship.

A record 556 teams competed across 37 venues, with 1,253 games played throughout the weekend. The tournament featured 29 championship divisions, bringing together some of the top youth hockey programs from across the continent. With 8,048 goals scored (averaging 6.42 goals per game) and 258 shutouts, there was no shortage of excitement.

WATCH: Highlights for the 2026 CCM World Invite

The competition was as close as the numbers suggest. Nearly 11 percent of all games required overtime or a shootout, with 137 contests needing extra time to determine a winner. That level of parity carried into championship Sunday, where 11 title games were decided by a single goal or fewer.

PHOTOS: Capturing the Competition of the CCM World Invite

Of the 29 champions crowned, 22 teams completed the weekend undefeated, an impressive accomplishment in a field this deep.

Championship Sunday Delivers a Dramatic Finish

If the tournament needed any further proof of its competitive depth, championship Sunday provided it.

Eleven championship games were decided by one goal or fewer, including six that required overtime. Every shift, scoring opportunity and defensive stop added importance as teams battled for the opportunity to leave Chicago with a championship.

The Ann Arbor Bombers claimed the 2016 Ribcor Division title with a 6-5 overtime victory over the Queen City Royals, while the Danbury Hat Tricks outlasted Belle Tire, 4-3, in overtime to capture the 2014 Tacks championship.

WATCH: 2026 CCM World Invite 18U Tacks Division Championship Highlights

The drama continued across the Jetspeed divisions. The Northern Express edged the Long Island Rebels, 3-2, in overtime in the 2012 championship, while the West Dundee Leafs secured the 16U title with a 2-1 overtime victory over Capitals Hockey Academy.

29 Champions Crowned

After thousands of shifts and countless memorable moments, 29 teams emerged as champions across the tournament’s divisions.

Vizion Division Champions

• 2012: OMGHA
• 2014: Littleton Hawks
• 2016: Little Caesars

Tacks Division Champions

• 18U: Lake Forest Academy
• 16U: Chicago Fury
• 15U: San Jose Jr. Sharks
• 2012: Peoria Jr. Mustangs
• 2013: Team Illinois
• 2014: Danbury Hat Tricks
• 2015: Biggby AAA
• 2016: Madison Capitols
• 2017: Whitby Wildcats

Jetspeed Division Champions

• 18U: Naperville Sabres
• 16U: West Dundee Leafs
• 15U: Peoria Jr. Mustangs
• 2012: Northern Express
• 2013: North Shore Whitecaps
• 2014: Colorado Extreme Black
• 2015: Lake County Vipers
• 2016: Crystal Lake Yellowjackets
• 2017: St. Louis Eagles

Ribcor Division Champions

• 18U: Omaha Jr. Lancers
• 16U: Highland Park Falcons
• 2012: Capitals Hockey Academy
• 2013: Tri-State Spartans
• 2014: California Heat
• 2015: Peoria Jr. Mustangs
• 2016: Ann Arbor Bombers
• 2017: Crystal Lake Yellowjackets

View 2026 CCM World Invite Champion Photos

Howies Hockey MVPs

Championships are won as a team, but every tournament produces individual performances that deserve their own recognition. The Howies Hockey MVPs highlighted players who made a significant impact for their respective teams throughout the weekend.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

Vizion Division

• #16 Lincoln Kolin – OMGAH (2012)
• #46 Nolan Waldron – Littleton Hawks (2014)
• #9 Lennox Gerbe – Little Caesars (2016)

Tacks Division

• #29 Jacob Malougn – Lake Forest Academy (18U)
• #33 Hendric Hanna – Chicago Fury (16U)
• #34 Blake Sutherlin – San Jose Jr. Sharks (15U)
• #24 Blake Crebo – Peoria Jr. Mustangs (2012)
• #7 Brody Penkala – Team Illinois (2013)
• #86 Tyler Mazzucca – Danbury Hat Tricks (2014)
• #32 Griffin Wingard – Biggby AAA (2015)
• #2 Jack Steele – Madison Capitols (2016)
• #5 TJ Cook – Whitby Wildcats (2017)

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Jetspeed Division

• #33 Robert Ibatullin – Naperville Sabres (18U)
• #14 Elijah Good – West Dundee Leafs (16U)
• #17 Trevor Vicary – Peoria Jr. Mustangs (15U)
• #84 Tyler Starchurski – Northern Express (2012)
• #22 Hudson Schleiffer – North Shore Whitecaps (2013)
• #53 Joey Penact – Colorado Extreme Black (2014)
• #30 Calen Fay – Lake County Vipers (2015)
• #41 Nikolas Sode – Crystal Lake Yellowjackets (2016)
• #41 Pierson Lanctot – St. Louis Eagles (2017)

Ribcor Division

• #11 Vince Kutler – Omaha Jr. Lancers (18U)
• #60 Brennan Hayden – Highland Park Falcons (16U)
• #29 Quinn Richert – Capitals Hockey Academy (2012)
• #10 Keene Fraedrich – Tri-State Spartans (2013)
• #59 London Hokom – California Heat (2014)
• #7 Blake Smallberger – Peoria Jr. Mustangs (2015)
• #98 Corey Huang – Ann Arbor Bombers (2016)
• #34 Oliver Oates – Crystal Lake Yellowjackets (2017)

The Best Is Yet to Come

From a record-setting field of 556 teams to an Opening Night that brought the hockey world together, the 2026 CCM World Invite was a celebration of everything that makes youth hockey special.

The numbers tell part of the story: 37 venues, 1,253 games, 29 champions and 22 undefeated teams. But behind every number were the players, coaches, families and fans who made the weekend what it was. There were overtime winners, championship celebrations, new friendships, unforgettable experiences and plenty of memories made along the way.

A special thank you goes to the DuPage Sports Commission, our event partners, participating venues, officials, volunteers and the countless families who traveled to Chicago to make this year’s tournament possible.

Next up, 200×85 is heading to Music City for the CCM Nashville Tier II! As we turn the page on another record-breaking CCM World Invite, the tournament season continues. Most of our upcoming events are already sold out or operating on a waitlist-only basis, but a select number of tournaments still have limited availability. Explore the full tournament lineup and find your next opportunity on the ice.

And while the tournament season rolls on, now is the time to start planning your offseason. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, showcase your abilities or take your game overseas, 200×85 has opportunities to help players take the next step. From development camps and college exposure opportunities to elite identification events and international Europe Experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to keep growing your game.

The 23rd annual CCM World Invite raised the bar once again. The record is now 556 teams. The standard has been set. But the next chapter is already underway. We’ll see you at the rink!