Best USA hockey States
- Thread starter Jokerit 16
- Start date
The fact that he was raised and developed in NJ makes him an NJ product. I’d find it difficult to believe he would consider himself a NY kid. All of his formative years were in NJ. Same with someone like John Carlson.
PlamsUnlimited
Big Church Bells
This is like kids in school in the 4th grade arguing over the Statue of Liberty again
Have you ever been south of Springfield ? Or are you in an Arlington/Fairfax bubble. Just because the caps practice in Ballston doesn’t make VA anything even close to a hockey state. NASCAR is way ahead, as are all the college majors and track.
PlamsUnlimited
Big Church Bells
Might as well, last I remember seeing the island itself is surrounded by NJ waters, but the island and such is NY land, but federally ownedShall we get that one going too??
Let's do it
That’s a low bar. But have to assume VA is in the bottom quartile of states from a hockey popularity standpoint.
Because they play football and basketball instead. Or they wrestle. That being said, there are a number of USHL teams here and an AHL team. Plus club hockey at the universities.
Really, no Michigan with our(what seems like) 100 AAA teams and great high school hockey on top of some NAHL, USHL and OHL teams. Also add in the 5 D1 programs.
I know it’s about players from particular states but my point is valid.
How is there a gap between Minnesota and Michigan?
I’m talking from a pure talent level throughout both states, they are dead even. Both have great High school but Michigan has a boatload more of AAA teams, whereas, like I mentioned, Minnesota focuses on high school hockey for development.
A lot of Minnesota kids do USHL combined with or instead of High School
It’s all farmers with tiny towns except Des Moines. Hockey is small , small potatoes in Wisconsin compared to Minnesota as well.
Great high school hockey? Certainly not top tier in Michy. Remember Minny doesn’t play AAA in the winter.
Michigan high school hockey has always been solid. On a scale of talent level, IMO, Minny might be a 10, whereas Michigan is a 9. There’s tons of players from Michigan who move on to the USHL, NAHL and D1 NCAA programs. No one ever sees that though.
What I’m saying is there are definitely teams in Michigan who are as good as the Edina’s, Eden Praries etc.
I played in a tournament (high school tournament) against all star teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota etc in 2010(yes, I know 9 years ago) but we won the tourney with team Michigan against players like Max McCormick, Ethan Prow, Ben Marshall, Alex Lyon, Casey Nelson.
I believe even Bjugstad played a game. Could be wrong.
Players that went D1 and Pro. Michigan is a solid high school hockey state.
Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
Probably the same reason New Mexico isn't a football hotbed despite its proximity to Texas.
sureWhyNot
Registered User
A look over the last 20 or so years of Team USA hockey rosters would probably give you at least some direction.
Aka - Minnesota, Mass, NY, and Michigan
Aka - Minnesota, Mass, NY, and Michigan
Hockey in California will keep growing only as long as new rinks are being built. Youth programs are near capacity. Roller hockey is great for growing interest in the sport and for high end players looking to get more playing time without the added travel and ice costs. Most of the top AAA kids out here have roots in roller hockey.
The argument that top athletes only play football isnt exactly true. There are a lot more kids that play baseball basketball and football so odds dictate that they will get better athletes due to a larger pool, but in California kids generally latch onto a sport pretty young these days (if playing at a high level) and stick to that primary sport so it becomes a matter of catching those kids when they are young.
The issue California has is that local communities do not pay for rinks the way they do for other sports. If that were to ever change the sport would blow up because it is so much more exciting than any other youth sport in my opinion and people in California are crazy about sports.
The argument that top athletes only play football isnt exactly true. There are a lot more kids that play baseball basketball and football so odds dictate that they will get better athletes due to a larger pool, but in California kids generally latch onto a sport pretty young these days (if playing at a high level) and stick to that primary sport so it becomes a matter of catching those kids when they are young.
The issue California has is that local communities do not pay for rinks the way they do for other sports. If that were to ever change the sport would blow up because it is so much more exciting than any other youth sport in my opinion and people in California are crazy about sports.
Half those guys are from Green Bay and small town northern MN. Sorry those teams were not of significance. It just doesn’t compare man. That doesn’t mean Michigan is a bad hockey state however because it’s not.
And to add to the last part.. Edina would smoke LC, BT, Oakland, Fox Motors etc as well
