Draft day is a milestone moment in any young hockey player’s career—and this year’s Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Draft was no exception. For many of the prospects who competed at the 2023 CCM 68 Combine, it marked a turning point in their development and an exciting step forward on their path to the next level.

 

Among the 46 Ontario-born players who skated at last year’s CCM 68 Combine, 29 were selected in the OHL Draft, an impressive 63% draft rate. That success underscores the Combine’s reputation as a premier evaluation platform for top-tier North American talent.

 

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Breaking Down the Numbers

• Forwards: Of the 23 Ontario forwards invited to the Combine, 16 were drafted—a strong 69.5% success rate.
• Defensemen: 12 of 17 defensemen heard their names called, for a 70.5% draft rate.

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Raising the Bar Since 2023

The 2024 CCM 68 Combine marked the second consecutive year of Canadian participation, with players from Ontario first joining the event in 2023. Since then, the Combine has elevated to a whole new level of competition, intensity, and exposure.

 

“The inclusion of Canadian players over the last two years has brought a new level of energy and elite talent to the CCM 68 Combine,” said Justin Lewandowski, VP of Hockey Operations at 200×85. “We’re proud of the development environment we’ve built, and the draft results validate the impact this event has on preparing players for the next step in their hockey careers.”

 

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Evolving Draft Dynamics

One additional storyline this year was the changing draft landscape. A new CHL rule now allows players to maintain NCAA eligibility, which significantly altered the OHL Draft. In 2023, fewer than 40 U.S.-born players were drafted. This year, nearly 90 Americans were selected, a notable increase that likely reduced the number of available spots for Ontario players.

 

Despite that shift, nearly two-thirds of the Ontario participants from the CCM 68 Combine still earned selections—highlighting the strength of the player pool and the visibility provided by the event.

 

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Looking Ahead: Your Path to the CCM 68 Combine

The CCM 68 Futures ID Camp is the best way for young prospects to be identified and selected for the prestigious CCM 68 Combine. Interest in the 2025 events has been at an all-time high—all Futures ID Camps are sold out except one: the CCM 68 Futures ID Camp in Niagara Falls, ON, taking place August 15–17. Applications are still being accepted, and space is limited.

If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of this year’s draftees, this is your opportunity to get on the radar and be part of something special.

 

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Final Thoughts

The numbers speak for themselves. The CCM 68 Combine continues to serve as a launchpad for some of the top young hockey players in North America, and the Ontario contingent at this year’s OHL Draft proved just how impactful the experience can be.

Congratulations to all the athletes and families who reached this milestone. We can’t wait to see what the next class of CCM 68 athletes will accomplish.