Oh, What A Year

’00-birth year bolsters one of the most decorated resumes in CCM Selects history.

“We didn’t truly realize then how spoiled we were.”

“We wish we could do it all over again.”

“They made us feel like part of their family.”

The CCM Selects program has been a fixture in the youth hockey community for more than 15 years. In that time, it has had a tremendous impact on some of the top players in North America during their most formative years of development both on and off the ice. None more so than the 2000-birth year, who — now five years removed from their spring hockey days — have gone on to be one of the most decorated classes to ever wear the CCM Selects sweater.

From 2010 to 2015, a stellar group of ‘00s collaborated each spring and summer to play under the CCM Selects banner. Programming included competing against each other at internal development camps as well as externally at various North American and European spring tournaments as well.

“The professionalism of the entire program was second to none,” said Paul Wise. “The coaches that coached the kids were not only great teachers, but great guys. They always made sure the kids had fun while always teaching. The management of the program was always great to work with and they always understood the families needs.”

Paul’s son Jake, is a forward in his third season at Boston University. The 5-foot-11 left-handed shooter is a former member of the U.S. National Team Development Program and was a third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft. Being an active participant in the CCM Selects tournament teams, CCM68 Combine and the CCM Euro Invite, Jake benefitted from every phase of the program.

“I know from our standpoint, Jake had the best hockey experiences of his youth life with [CCM],” said Paul.

Now several years removed from the program, one of the most rewarding things to see for 200×85 management is how these players’ careers go on to blossom. From junior hockey, to international play, college and professional, watching the athletes and their families celebrate on- and off-ice achievements continues to fuel the program for future players.

Max Ellis is one of more than 40 former CCM Selects from the ‘00 Class to reach the college hockey ranks. Entering his sophomore year for Notre Dame this fall, tracking his former teammates’ success has been just as enjoyable as his own path to the next level.

“During his time with the Selects, he was exposed to many things such as great coaches at the youth level as well as the collegiate level, skill building, nutritional learning and so much more,” said Max’s father Dave Ellis. “This was during a very formative time in his life when he had a number of paths forward in hockey and the opportunity to spend time with college coaches proved to be invaluable. It was with the Selects program that Max had his first visit to Notre Dame where he currently plays hockey. There is no doubt the 2000-birth year is a very special group of highly-talented and skilled hockey players, and [CCM] Selects helped nurture and develop them.”

A native of Plymouth, Michigan, Max is a forward in the Big Ten; one of the top conferences in college hockey. None of the six conferences in the NCAA have more ‘00-born alumni than the seven-team conference. With 12 players strewn about its Midwest schools, many players still remain quite close geographically to where it all began with 200×85, based in the Chicago area. Travelling outside of the personal ‘hockey bubble’ isn’t always easy though.

“Being from the East Coast and travelling out to the Midwest to play hockey with players and coaches my son didn’t know, quite frankly was a little nerve-racking,” said Tim Walsh. “Once we arrived, the administration and coaches were so welcoming not only to my son, but also to my wife and I.”

Originally from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, traveling to the Windy City for the first annual CCM68 Combine was a big commitment for then-14-year-old T.J. and the Walsh family. In that moment during the spring of 2014, there was no way to know that more than three dozen participants from that inaugural combine would go on to make Division-I college commitments, including T.J., now in his second season with Northeastern.

“Simply put, they made us feel like part of their family,” said Tim.

That family feeling clearly resonates first with the bonds formed amongst boys, as they continually compete with and against each other over extended periods of time. It continues though, sometimes unexpectedly, amongst the parents as well. Be it while rubbing elbows in the bleachers, over dinner between games or unwinding at the hotel, strangers quickly become Facebook friends and first-world pen pals via text message.

“As parents, we were blessed by meeting great families that were part of the program and building lifelong memories and friendships,” said Dave Webster. “We had the good fortune to have two of our kids participate in this program and it was instrumental in both becoming college hockey players.”

McKade Webster is currently a freshman at Denver and seventh-round draft pick of the reigning Stanley Cup champion, Tampa Bay Lightning. His younger sister, Makenna — also in her freshman year — will suit up for the 2019 defending champion Wisconsin Badgers.

It makes for an interesting dynamic because many of these athletes competed against each other during the winter season, but became teammates during the spring season. Foes quickly become friends, and remain friends long after, even as they return to being on opposite benches.

Seven alumni slated to compete in the Beanpot between Boston area schools.

Four others expected to compete in the 2021 Great Lakes Invitational.

Once teammates now on opposite sides of the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry.

Throughout junior, college and soon, professional hockey, we are constantly reminded of the 2000-birth year, and the role 200×85 and its programming has played in their development paths. More importantly, we reminisce on the impact that the players and their families have ultimately had on us, using it as motivation to reach even more hockey families in the future.

Find out more about the ‘00 class of alumni as well as all of the players and families that have come through the program HERE.

Interested in joining? Click HERE and contact us today!