Massachusetts. Minnesota. Michigan. These are the three states where hockey lives, breathes, and sleeps every day. But which state really is the best? Which state can truly be accepted as the United State’s best hockey state? Detroit has called themselves “Hockeytown” since 1996, and while Minnesota has been dubbed “The State of Hockey” by an ad agency, it has begun to cement itself as the label for hockey pride in the land of 10,000 lakes. Massachusetts has a tradition of excellence. Colorado and New York have something too, but what?
NHL Teams
New York wins this category with two, while each of the other states each have one. Some may argue the “original six” should be part of the measurement, but then wouldn’t Minnesota have 
an argument to claim the Dallas Stars too? Others may argue the success of the Red Wings as a franchise, the Avalanche’s record this season, or the fact the Minnesota Wild have sold out every game in their franchise history, but those points may come later. States get 5 points for every NHL team, no other points will be awarded since the NHL is governed in salary caps and is not an accurate measure of talent, but it is of spirit. 
NY: 2 (10pts)
MN: 1 (5pts)
CO: 1 (5pts)
MA: 1 (5pts)
MI: 1 (5pts)
D1 Collegiate Teams
The Men’s teams will be counted by schools per state while the women will be counted by players on the Olympic team since D1 is the only division of women’s hockey at the present time and is the only measure of state hockey significance. States get 1 point for every D1 team playing currently as well as a point for every female on the Olympic hockey team.
NY: (10 M, 0 W) (10pts)
MA: (10 M, 6 W) (16pts)
MN: (5 M, 6 W) (16pts)
MI: (6 M, 0 W) (6pts)
CO: (3 M, 0 W) (3pts)
Excellence
The excellence section refers to championships won in both the NHL and Division 1 Hockey. Obviously the amount of teams each state has is one idea, but winning is something completely different. The teams will earn 1 point for every National Championship they have won. They will be organized by state like this: State: (#ofNHLwins,#ofD1hkywins) Note: The NY Rangers and NY Islanders have both won 4 Stanley Cups.
NY: (8,4) 12pts
MA: (5,9) 14pts
MN: (0,5) 5pts
MI: (11,19) 30pts
CO: (2,9) 11pts
Tradition
This section is a hybrid between excellence and history. The scoring is simple, each state will get a 1/10 of a point for every player born in that state that has played (or is playing) in the NHL.
NY: (82) 8.2pts
MA: (163) 16.3pts
MN: (200) 20.0pts
MI: (118) 11.8pts
CO: (7) 0.7pts
Critique
Okay, I understand there is no methodology of actually interpreting which 
state is the best overall for hockey, but it is fun to test anyway. Obviously there will be arguments for high school hockey, win percentages of schools and teams, as well as who throws the most octopi on the ice (no question there). However, this is a very good start on a measuring stick. Please let me know if you think any other categories MUST be included.
From our statistical analysis it has held true that the three “M” states are still the reigning champions. Michigan is the statistical winner. However, instead of calling one state the champion overall, it is probably better to call each state what they really are: Category Champs.
The Points
MI: 52.8
MA: 51.3
MN: 46
NY: 40.2
CO: 19.7
Conclusion
Michigan: The Excellence Champion
A perennial favorite to win the Stanley Cup along with insane collegiate players makes this state worthy of its crown of excellence.
Massachusetts: The Collegiate Champion
Taking nearly half of its points directly from Men’s D1 Hockey programs, it is obvious Massachusetts is the place to be after high school.
Minnesota: The Tradition Champion
The over 10,000 icy ponds and frozen lakes make this state the traditional champion. Youth hockey is extremely huge in Minnesota and more players have come from this state to play in the NHL than any other.
New York: The Powerhouse State
New York has over eight million people living in its capitol city, which is about 3.5 million more than Minnesota has in its entire state. This means New York supplies hockey with money and masses. If we were to make a table out of the top four states, New York could definitely hold its own weight.
Colorado: The New State
Other than maybe Wisconsin (for collegiate) and Alaska (for atmosphere), Colorado is becoming a new hockey hotbed. It desperately needs work in the amount of NHL recruits from the state, but with the three colleges becoming even better than they have been in the past expect this state to rival Michigan for championships soon.
