New and enhanced pathways to continue powering
America’s premier player development model
Minnesota Hockey is launching a revamped CCM Fall High Performance program designed to continue paving the way Minnesota boys’ hockey players develop while staying true to the community and high school hockey system that has made Minnesota the top development model in the nation.
New 15 and 17 Centralization for Minnesota Players
Beginning with the 2027-28 season, the new model will introduce two 15U and two 17U teams that will centralize in Blaine during the fall and compete against USA Hockey’s Development League programs, Shattuck-St. Mary’s, international, Tier I clubs, regional NAHL teams (exhibition), and collaborate with the USHL.
The players will then return to their community/high school teams and benefit from the country’s most successful hockey development model. They will take on leadership roles, compete for a State Championship, and carry the community hockey culture forward for the next generation.
Only Minnesota residents will be selected for all CCM Fall High Performance teams.
More Development Opportunities for Minnesota Players
Additionally, new Boys CCM Fall High Performance teams will be added across the state at the following levels:
- Four 18U Tier I Teams
- Four 16U Tier I Teams
- Five 18U Tier II Teams
- Six 16U Tier II Teams
Only Minnesota residents will be selected for all CCM Fall High Performance teams.
The new program is designed to impact more than just the top tier of players in Minnesota. It is built to continue powering Minnesota’s premier development model, provide more high-end training, competition, coaching and exposure for the deepest pool of player talent in the country without requiring players to leave the State of Hockey to pursue other opportunities.
“This was built for the Minnesota player. We are putting the Minnesota player first. We’re still No. 1 in the country and we want to remain the best,” says Mike MacMillan, Minnesota Hockey CCM High Performance Program Director. “The best time to take care of yourself is when you’re healthy and Minnesota Hockey has never been better. The numbers speak for themselves: we’re the top development model in the country, and these new CCM Fall High Performance programs will continue to serve our players and prepare them for the next level.”
The new Boys CCM Fall High Performance program was created by Minnesota Hockey and developed in collaboration with the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota State High School League, Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association, USA Hockey, College Hockey Inc., and Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
“No other state in the country is developing players like Minnesota, which is built and supported by community hockey associations, public rinks and high school hockey. This new CCM Fall High Performance program will make both Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Minnesota Hockey better. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Minnesota Hockey,” says Tom Ward, former NHL and University of Minnesota coach and current Director of Boys Hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
Minnesota Sets the Standard
For generations, Minnesota has built a hockey development model around community associations, not-for-profit community rinks, high school hockey and High Performance programming. That model is producing the best results at every level of the game.
The way youth hockey is being delivered across the country has changed to a highly privatized, for-profit model, putting the game out of reach for most families and cutting the cord on young players way too early. Minnesota’s community model — the only model in the U.S. that still supports small-town hockey in every corner of the state — continues to overproduce the most and best players in the country.
“Minnesota needs to address these changes to remain the dominant developer of hockey talent in the U.S.,” says Mike MacMillan. “The new CCM Fall High Performance program will do just that. Minnesota will stay No. 1.”
“Minnesota may have the most players, but we also get way more out of our players than any other state,” says Jeremy Reed, Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey. “If you compare Minnesota’s current crop of college hockey players to when these men were 8U players, Minnesota significantly over-indexes in developing high-end talent. Simply put, Minnesota Hockey gets more juice from its squeeze than anywhere else in the country.”
“In parts of the United States where high school hockey (and) prep schools dominate the landscape, that path is very, very clear and it’s been very successful,” says Bob Mancini, USA Hockey’s Assistant Executive Director of Player Development.
Minnesota’s Leading Player Data
#1 NCAA Division I men’s players with 217, nearly as much as the next three states combined.
Top 5 States in 2026-27
- Minnesota – 217
- New York – 80
- Massachusetts – 79
- Michigan – 71
- Illinois – 62
#1 NHL player production: 59
5 Minnesota Olympic hockey gold medalists in 2026
A Proven Model
The new model calls for a proposed maximum of 55 games per season, including regular-season association/high school games, reinforcing the focus on development and balance rather than simply increasing the number of games played.
When CCM High Performance players go back to their communities/high schools and compete for State Championships, it strengthens Minnesota Hockey at every level. These players will serve as leaders for their community teams, on the ice and in the locker room. They continue being role models for the younger players in the community and carry their community hockey culture forward for the next generation.
Two New Series Coming to Minnesota Next Fall
Two new series are coming to Minnesota next fall that will capture the attention of professional and college hockey communities. Minnesota Hockey and Shattuck-St. Mary’s will be welcoming USA Hockey Development League teams, including the Chicago Mission.
The series will attract scouts from most every NHL and NCAA team and kickstart the next chapter in Minnesota’s continued dominance in both player development and player exposure.
What’s Next
More information about programming, teams names, jerseys, special events, insight from college and pro coaches/scouts, and more will be announced throughout the season.
