Elite Competition Caps Off the 2025–26 Season at Notre Dame
CCM Shootout & Irish Leprechaun Tournament Recap
The 2025–26 200×85 season at the University of Notre Dame once again delivered everything teams expect when they arrive in South Bend: elite competition, high-end performance, and an unforgettable experience at Compton Family Ice Arena. Across the CCM Shootout weekends and the Irish Leprechaun Tournament, Notre Dame proved why it remains one of the premier destinations for youth hockey in North America.
From structured, showcase-style matchups to championship moments, the level of play throughout the season reflected the depth and quality of programs competing in 200×85 events.
Season by the Numbers
Across both halves of the 2025–26 season, the CCM Shootout showcased the depth and quality of programs traveling to South Bend:
- 94 teams competed across multiple birth years
(41 teams in the first half, 53 teams in the second half) - 236 total games were played
(103 games in the first half, 133 games in the second half)
Each division was featured on its own dedicated weekend, creating a focused showcase environment where teams could measure themselves against elite competition from across North America.
Irish Leprechaun Tournament Champions
The season concluded with championship hardware on the line at the Irish Leprechaun Tournament, where teams rose to the occasion across multiple divisions:
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- Tacks Division Champions: International Stars
- Jetspeed Division Champions: Motor City Machine
- Ribcor Division Champions: Nashville Mavericks
Each division showcased fast-paced play and competitive balance, closing out the Notre Dame season with championship-caliber performances.
CCM Shootout Standouts
As the CCM Shootout season progressed, several teams distinguished themselves through consistency, scoring depth, and defensive structure. Rather than highlighting every stat line, a few performances clearly set the standard.
Undefeated & Elite Weekends
Maintaining consistency at Notre Dame is never easy. These teams navigated their CCM Shootout weekends without a regulation loss during the second half of the season:
- 2012 Division: Next Level Hockey
- 2014 Division: Littleton Hawks
- 2016 Division: Team Illinois
Earlier in the season, Indiana Elite (2011) also posted a perfect weekend, highlighting the execution required to remain unbeaten at Compton Family Ice Arena.
Offensive Firepower
Goals were a defining feature of the 2025–26 CCM Shootout from start to finish. Across the season, several teams separated themselves offensively:
- 2011 Indiana Elite: 29 goals
- 2012 Fox Motors: 25 goals
- 2014 Windy City Storm & Littleton Hawks: 24 goals each
- 2016 Elgin Middlesex Canucks: 25 goals
The ability to generate offense against top-tier opponents was a consistent theme throughout the year.
Defensive Excellence
While scoring grabbed attention, defensive structure proved just as impactful. These teams anchored themselves with standout defensive performances across the season:
- 2012 Next Level Hockey: 2 goals against
- 2012 Windy City Storm: 3 goals against
- 2011 Dallas Penguins: 5 goals against
- 2016 Team Illinois: 7 goals against
Disciplined play and strong team defense were often the difference-maker in tightly contested weekends.
A Season That Reinforces Notre Dame’s Standard
From opening faceoff to final game, the 2025–26 season reinforced Notre Dame’s reputation as a showcase destination where elite teams come to compete, develop, and measure themselves against the best. The combination of world-class facilities, competitive divisions, and a professional event environment continues to set the standard for 200×85 events.
Opportunities to Return to Notre Dame
The calendar is already turning toward what’s next, with multiple opportunities to return to South Bend:
- CCM College Training Weekend – Returning this summer with high-level development in a collegiate environment
- Irish May Day – A spring tournament bringing competitive play back to Notre Dame
- CCM Shootout 2026–27 Season – Now open for registration for teams planning ahead
With another successful season complete and demand continuing to rise, the CCM Shootout and Irish Leprechaun Tournament once again confirmed what teams already know — Notre Dame remains one of the premier stages for elite youth hockey.