WingNutt 12 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) After reading the #1 hockey country thread, I was thinking about Hockey's popularity in general as far as how much is played and watched and the general location the Pros grew up playing. in USA it would have to be between Michigan and Minnesota, I live and play hockey in Michigan so I would have to say Michigan because I know first hand how big the game is here and how many passionate people there are about the sport of ice hockey here, not just Red Wings fans or people who watch the sport on TV, I'm talking Michiganders who live and breath hockey, Little Caesars, Honey Baked, Travel hockey, High school hockey, Beer Leagues, etc etc. Minnesota is similar as far as I know as well. both Northern States with Brutal winters and plenty of Lakes, We have always had the better Pro franchise though haha. Canada, I know Ontario has the similar popularity of not only viewers but players. Russia, Omsk hockey is huge here as well What are your thoughts? Edited December 2, 2009 by WingNutt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Massachusetts is up there as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingNutt 12 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Massachusetts is up there as well. yeah I would put Boston at 3rd probably, although Illinois is higher than most would expect also. I also left out the consideration of College teams, Michigan, Michigan State are both really strong hockey teams, along with Ferris State. We all know the Golden Gophers always have a amazing team, and Boston as well. Another over looked state is Maine, I've heard hockey is pretty popular over there as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Örnsköldsvik. On a side note, how about the #1 weirdest town name that an NHL player comes from? Flin Flon or Moose Factory would get my vote. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 After reading the #1 hockey country thread, I was thinking about Hockey's popularity in general as far as how much is played and watched and the general location the Pros grew up playing. in USA it would have to be between Michigan and Minnesota, I live and play hockey in Michigan so I would have to say Michigan because I know first hand how big the game is here and how many passionate people there are about the sport of ice hockey here, not just Red Wings fans or people who watch the sport on TV, I'm talking Michiganders who live and breath hockey, Little Caesars, Honey Baked, Travel hockey, High school hockey, Beer Leagues, etc etc. Minnesota is similar as far as I know as well. both Northern States with Brutal winters and plenty of Lakes, We have always had the better Pro franchise though haha. Canada, I know Ontario has the similar popularity of not only viewers but players. Russia, Omsk hockey is huge here as well What are your thoughts? Are you suggesting that Ontario has a similar number of players as those from Michigan? If so, I think you're wrong, the number of NHLers from Ontario would absolutely dwarf those from Michigan.....but perhaps you are talking players in general (i.e. 5 year olds on up), in which case, I'd guess Ontario would still have a lot more, but I don't really have much basis for that comment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) Are you suggesting that Ontario has a similar number of players as those from Michigan? If so, I think you're wrong, the number of NHLers from Ontario would absolutely dwarf those from Michigan.....but perhaps you are talking players in general (i.e. 5 year olds on up), in which case, I'd guess Ontario would still have a lot more, but I don't really have much basis for that comment. I'm guessing he means the relationship of Michigan - USA and Ontario - Canada. Edited December 2, 2009 by SweWings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A.T.Hun 0 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Having grown up in Michigan and lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, I'd have to give it to Minnesota. Prep hockey there is absolutely insane. They support the Wild, Gophers, et al well, but when it comes to prep hockey and craziness for it, I don't think Minnesota can be beat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 794 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 Having grown up in Michigan and lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, I'd have to give it to Minnesota. Prep hockey there is absolutely insane. They support the Wild, Gophers, et al well, but when it comes to prep hockey and craziness for it, I don't think Minnesota can be beat. yeah my old boss is from there. he would always compare it to high school football in texas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 I'd like to hear what some upstate New Yorkers have to say about this. I think Minnesota is the number 1 hockey state, followed closely by Michigan. But I've heard upstate New York has some awesome hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted December 2, 2009 I second what Jake Ryan said about New York. I think it would be very tough to figure out the #1 State for Hockey. You can make good cases for Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts for top spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted December 3, 2009 Tampere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hak 21 Report post Posted December 3, 2009 Örnsköldsvik. On a side note, how about the #1 weirdest town name that an NHL player comes from? Flin Flon or Moose Factory would get my vote. what i was going to post it's amazing that a small town up in northern sweden with a population of only ~30 000 can produce players like forsberg, naslund, sedins & hedman. they (MoDo) also won SEL 78/79 and 06/07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 Michigan by far... No way for Massachusetts. I lived in Boston for a while now, and hockey here is not as big as most would think. To be completely honest, no one here really cares about hockey. The Bean Pot tourney draws a decent crowd, but it's no bigger than the GLI. People don't really care about the Bruins, in fact prior to last year it's been absolutely dead. With all the good teams here...Boston U, Boston C, Northeastern, Harvard, Amherst, etc, it's surprising how little college sports matter here at all. Youth hockey is basically non-existent, at least when compared to MI or MN. Onto Minny... First off, I played in Duluth for a little while and have several family members who have played in Minny as well, but everyone of us came to the conclusion that Michigan was a bigger hockey state. Okay, so youth hockey may be big in MN, but it's just as big in Michigan, if not bigger. The whole state of hockey thing is a crock. Granted they are passionate about the game there, but not as much as Michigan. The colleges in Michigan are stronger as well. And for the trump card...what state can be considered the best hockey state when they lose their professional NHL team? Basically if your state doesn't begin with an "M" then you have no businesses claiming a hockey title. 1. Michigan 2. Minnesota 3. Massachusetts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 I'm glad that someone mantioned Illinois, granted that it waned after the lockout, but with the resurgence of the Hawks we are actually a bigger state than one would think. That being said I think it is a tossup with Michigan and Minnesota. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedStormRising 7 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) Onto Minny... First off, I played in Duluth for a little while and have several family members who have played in Minny as well, but everyone of us came to the conclusion that Michigan was a bigger hockey state. Okay, so youth hockey may be big in MN, but it's just as big in Michigan, if not bigger. The whole state of hockey thing is a crock. Granted they are passionate about the game there, but not as much as Michigan. The colleges in Michigan are stronger as well. And for the trump card...what state can be considered the best hockey state when they lose their professional NHL team? I'll have to disagree with both of those statements. One, I would say that Minnesota has better college hockey teams. Minnesota routinely has multiple schools in the Top 25 for both men's AND women's and nearly every Minnesota team compete for championships any given year. Two, the reason the North Stars were moved was mainly due to very poor management. The popular SI quote sums it up best: "When [Norm Green] came here, he said, 'Only an idiot could lose money on hockey in Minnesota.' Well, I guess he proved that point." Youth hockey in Minnesota has a cult like following, the Wild and Gophers very rarely do not sell out, and so... I'd have to give the nod to Minnesota. Edited December 4, 2009 by RedStormRising Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gnredwing 10 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 how can no one have mentioned Mississippi. Jackson Mississippi is probably the biggest hockey city in the country. Its a toss up between St. Paul Minnesota and Jackson Mississippi, but I would lean towards Jackson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 I'll have to disagree with both of those statements. One, I would say that Minnesota has better college hockey teams. Minnesota routinely has multiple schools in the Top 25 for both men's AND women's and nearly every Minnesota team compete for championships any given year. Two, the reason the North Stars were moved was mainly due to very poor management. The popular SI quote sums it up best: "When [Norm Green] came here, he said, 'Only an idiot could lose money on hockey in Minnesota.' Well, I guess he proved that point." Youth hockey in Minnesota has a cult like following, the Wild and Gophers very rarely do not sell out, and so... I'd have to give the nod to Minnesota. Haven't the Wild sold out every game in their existence. I can't speak for Michigan but growing up an hour north of the Can/Usa border above Minnesota I can say that they do love there hockey there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 Canada, I know Ontario has the similar popularity of not only viewers but players. The number of NHLers that Saskatchewan has produced (compared to their population) is fairly staggering. Of course, what else is there to do in Saskatchewan in the winter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CaliWingsNut Report post Posted December 4, 2009 The number of NHLers that Saskatchewan has produced (compared to their population) is fairly staggering. Of course, what else is there to do in Saskatchewan in the winter? curling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) College hockey is huge in Minnesota but let's not forget they lost their team (the North Stars) the first time. So if you consider the #1 college hockey state, it would be Minnesota, but the #1 pro-hockey state would have to be Michigan out of the two because we have had a team for a long ass time and never lost ours. I also think it's important to consider quality as well as quantity. The Stanley Cup has yet to call Minnesota home. Edited December 4, 2009 by Lovin Jiri Fischer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGKEIB 32 Report post Posted December 4, 2009 I also think it's important to consider quality as well as quantity. The Stanley Cup has yet to call Minnesota home. So by your logic North Carolina and Texas are bigger hockey states? The success of the NHL franchise (beyond folding etc.) of the respective state is irrelevant, as the vast majority of the players won't be from said state. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedStormRising 7 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Haven't the Wild sold out every game in their existence. I can't speak for Michigan but growing up an hour north of the Can/Usa border above Minnesota I can say that they do love there hockey there. They actually failed to sell out for the first time this year against the Avs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tane 17 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I'm willing to Bet the Curling comment was a joke...... But It's actually Pretty big up here....Especially in The Western Provinces. The biggest Canadian Hockey Cities Are no doubt Toronto and Montreal. But, Really, Every City in Canada Is Hockey Mad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 Michigan by a hair over Minnesota. Both states have tons of youth hockey through college hockey and pro, with multiple top notch college programs. Michigan also has the US National Team Development Program. And having been to home games for both the Gophers and Wolverines, I challenge you to find any arena anywhere that is more hockey-nuts than Yost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted December 5, 2009 I'll have to disagree with both of those statements. One, I would say that Minnesota has better college hockey teams. Minnesota routinely has multiple schools in the Top 25 for both men's AND women's and nearly every Minnesota team compete for championships any given year. Two, the reason the North Stars were moved was mainly due to very poor management. The popular SI quote sums it up best: "When [Norm Green] came here, he said, 'Only an idiot could lose money on hockey in Minnesota.' Well, I guess he proved that point." Youth hockey in Minnesota has a cult like following, the Wild and Gophers very rarely do not sell out, and so... I'd have to give the nod to Minnesota. Agree with every bit you just said. Minnesota is my vote. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
