The 2017 Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team was named after the tournament’s conclusion this weekend. (Screenshot, Game On! Minnesota)
Northern Minnesota continues to celebrate the exciting conclusion to the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament. For the first time since 1998, two northern teams won the Class A and Class AA championships, respectively.
The hockey hair antics of the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks manager earned the attention of the All Hockey Hair Team this year. Every time the stoic Grand Rapids coach Trent Klatt’s name was called, he had shenanigans in store. (Screenshot Game On! Minnesota)
But the real fun is only getting started. After the tournament, Game On! Minnesota released its 2017 Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair video. These features are the work of ad executive John King, who had remained anonymous for years until the video’s popularity grew.
These videos have become our state’s quirky cultural touchstone. ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose did an entire special on the video series last year.
In fact, their popularity has grown so much that teams are now divided between those whose coaches encourage showcase hockey hair and those who forbid it. I noticed at least a couple teams did the lineup announcements in their helmets. The head of the Minnesota State High School League seems miffed by the tradition.
Not sure why. In a macho sport like hockey, it’s nice to see a little primping and preening by these titans of the rink. Just some good natured fun in the State of Hockey.
So, without further ado, here’s the 2017 Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team:
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