The 2026 CCM 68 Combine once again brought together the best of the best—but this year, the stage was bigger than ever.

Chicago became the meeting place for North America’s top 14U hockey players, with 68 boys and girls from the United States and 68 boys and girls from Canada coming together for five days of elite training, testing, competition, education, and experiences built specifically for the next generation of hockey talent.

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Opening Night: Learning From the Best

The 2026 CCM 68 officially got underway with Opening Night, bringing all the athletes together for an introduction to the week ahead.

Beyond the excitement of receiving their CCM gear and meeting their teammates, athletes heard directly from leaders who have experienced the highest levels of hockey.

The CCM 68 Girls welcomed:

• Caroline Ouellette – Four-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most accomplished players in women’s hockey, sharing lessons from a career built on preparation, leadership, and competing at the highest level.
• Annie Camins – PWHL Vice President, Team Operations and Grassroots Initiatives, providing perspective on the continued growth of women’s hockey and the opportunities ahead for the next generation.

The CCM 68 Boys heard from:

• Seth Appert – Buffalo Sabres Assistant Coach, sharing insight into preparation, mindset, and what it takes to continue developing at every level.
• Derrick Lalonde – Montreal Canadiens Assistant Coach, offering perspective from behind an NHL bench and lessons from a career spent working with elite players.
• Glenn Hefferan – USHL President & Commissioner, giving athletes a look at the opportunities available as they progress through the hockey development pathway.
• Cole McKinney – University of Michigan standout and CCM 68 alum, providing a firsthand perspective on the journey from elite youth hockey to the NCAA level.
• Oliver McKinney – University of Michigan commit and CCM 68 alum, providing his experience from youth hockey to the USHL where he currently plays for the Green Bay Gamblers.

The message was clear from the beginning: talent can open a door, but preparation, consistency, character, and work ethic determine how far an athlete goes.

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Testing, Training and Competing

Athletes took part in a comprehensive combination of on-ice and off-ice testing, giving players an opportunity to measure themselves in areas including speed, agility, explosiveness, strength, and overall athletic performance. The testing results provided another layer to the Combine experience, allowing athletes to see how they stack up against some of the best players in their age group.

GIRLS TESTING RESULTS      BOYS TESTING RESULTS

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The Competition Takes Center Stage

Once the puck dropped, the CCM 68 Combine quickly became what it has always been designed to be: a showcase of elite competition.

For the athletes, it was an opportunity to test themselves against players from across the United States and Canada. For scouts and coaches, it was an opportunity to evaluate a group of players representing one of the deepest pools of 14U talent in North America.

And for everyone watching, it was a glimpse at the next generation of hockey players.

View game results and player stats.

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More Than Hockey

While the competition remained at the center of the week, the CCM 68 experience extended well beyond the rink.

Athletes had opportunities to learn about the mental side of performance, interact with hockey professionals, and experience the latest CCM equipment and technology throughout the event.

The CCM 68 is intentionally designed to give players a taste of what the next levels of hockey can look and feel like—from testing and training to media, education, competition, and the expectations that come with being an elite athlete.

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A Week to Remember

By the time the final games wrapped up, the 2026 CCM 68 had delivered everything the event has become known for: elite talent, intense competition, and an experience players won’t forget. The next generation took center stage in Chicago, and they left plenty of reasons to believe the future of the game is in good hands.

The Combine may be over, but the path to future CCM 68 invitations is already underway. The next generation of players will have opportunities to put themselves on the radar through CCM 68 Futures ID Camps, where athletes can compete, train, and be evaluated alongside other top players from their birth year.

The 2026 CCM 68 raised the bar once again. Now, the next group gets its chance to chase it.