The CCHA continues to flourish as a producer of NHL-caliber talent and the names of 28 former players are engraved on the Stanley Cup. CCHA alums Chris Kunitz (Ferris State), Drew Miller (Michigan State), and assistant coach Newell Brown (Michigan State) were members of the 2007 champion Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Following is a list of former CCHA players who have earned awards at hockey’s highest level, the NHL.
| 1980 | New York Islanders |
| | Ken Morrow, Bowling Green |
| 1981 | New York Islanders |
| | Ken Morrow, Bowling Green |
| 1982 | New York Islanders |
| | Ken Morrow, Bowling Green |
| 1983 | New York Islanders |
| | Ken Morrow, Bowling Green |
| 1985 | Edmonton Oilers |
| | Mike Krushelnyski, St. Louis |
| 1987 | Edmonton Oilers |
| | Mike Krushelnyski, St. Louis |
| 1988 | Edmonton Oilers |
| | Mike Krushelnyski, St. Louis |
| | Craig Simpson, Michigan State |
| 1989 | Calgary Flames |
| | Brian MacLellan, Bowling Green |
| | Jamie Macoun, Ohio State |
| 1990 | Edmonton Oilers |
| | Joe Murphy, Michigan State |
| | Craig Simpson, Michigan State |
| 1994 | New York Rangers |
| | Glenn Healy, Western Michigan |
| | Neil Smith, Western Michigan |
| | (President/General Manager) |
| 1995 | New Jersey Devils |
| | Jim Dowd, Lake Superior State |
| | Brian Rolston, Lake Superior State |
| | Danton Cole, Michigan State |
| 1997 | Detroit Red Wings |
| | Aaron Ward, Michigan |
| | Mike Krushelnyski, St. Louis |
| | (Assistant Coach) |
| 1998 | Detroit Red Wings |
| | Jamie Macoun, Ohio State |
| | Mike Knuble, Michigan |
| | Aaron Ward, Michigan |
| | Don Waddell, Northern Michigan |
| | (Assistant General Manager) |
| 1999 | Dallas Stars |
| | Blake Sloan, Michigan |
| 2000 | New Jersey Devils |
| | John Madden, Michigan |
| 2001 | Colorado Avalanche |
| | Rob Blake, Bowling Green |
| | Greg de Vries, Bowling Green |
| 2003 | New Jersey Devils |
| | John Madden, Michigan |
| 2004 | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| | Dan Boyle, Miami |
| | John Grahame, Lake Superior State |
| 2006 | Carolina Hurricanes |
| | Rod Brind’Amour, Michigan State |
| | Doug Weight, Lake Superior State |
| | Kevyn Adams, Miami |
| | Aaron Ward, Michigan |
| 2007 |
Anaheim Ducks |
| Chris Kunitz, Ferris State |
| Drew Miller, Michigan State |
| Newell Brown, Michigan State |
| (Assistant Coach) |
