Over the course of the last three years in Minnesota, the term Tier 1 has gone from a myth to a reality. In 2013, Shattuck St. Mary's was the only recognized Minnesota Hockey Tier 1 team that could vie for a national championship. In 2014, private organizations were allowed a chance to play before the Winter season and after. Last year, MN Hockey U16/U18 teams tried at the boys level to compete with SSM, but did not qualify. This year MN Hockey has expanded its programming to Tier 1 U14/Bantam, U15, U16/Minor Midget and U18/Midget. 

As Minnesota becomes more fluent in Tier 1 hockey, we thought we would take a broader look at Michigan, a comparable state who runs Tier 1 hockey as its primary development model. 

Before we make a comparison, here is a little background on Tier 1 hockey. Tier 1 classified hockey is made up of several very highly skilled teams from all over the country. All-Star teams form to compete with 100+ other teams in the U.S. and eventually a coveted USA Hockey national championship (ages 14 and up). Teams under 14 don't play for a national title, but they follow the same "Tier 1 model."

A large clustered player-state like Michigan has six very highly skilled teams at every youth level (Belle Tire, Compuware, Honeybaked, Little Caesars, Victory Honda and Oakland Jr. Grizzlies). Michigan has more than 10 affiliates with Tier 1 status. Whereas smaller clusters like Los Angeles, Dallas and Phoenix will only field one to two strong Tier 1 teams at each level.

Don't let the size fool you, the amount of talented players in these sun-belt states is growing. Last year's number one pick in the National Hockey League draft was Austen Matthews from Scotsdale, Arizona. In fact, YHH hosted a tournament in 2015 called The Show. An event that attracted the players and Tier 1 caliber teams from all over North America. The USA champion was from Florida. They lost to a powerhouse from Ontario 2-1 in the title game. 

State: Minnesota
Population: 5.5 Million
2015-16 NTDP Players: 8
Division 1 Players: 214*

In Minnesota, we have a Bottom-Up program that also has amazing merit - if you don't believe me. Dig through the archives and see for yourself. The cost for competitive hockey in Minnesota is astronomically lower than other states for a lot of reasons. Municipal rinks subsidized by the state and city making it very affordable is the chief reason playing hockey is so popular in Minnesota and theoretically a reason the state has produced so many players top players. Instead of Tier 1, players in Minnesota play a community based Tier 2 hockey set up where teams play for their local team donning high school colors. Players in Minnesota shoot to play for their local high school and ultimately a shot at the coveted State High School Tournament in March at a sold out Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota boasts the most registered players every year with USA Hockey. Top 10 Minnesota teams are as good as or better than Tier 1 programs. Edina's PWAA team in 2013 and 2014 won all but one game in a series of 12 games over two years. Last season, the state's top Bantam AA team - Minnetonka - beat national champion Shattuck St. Mary's in a shootout. 

Why its Good

More players are given a chance to play high end hockey. Cost to play is not a barrier to entry to middle-class families. Great history, tradition and heritage statewide. Playing for the front is more important than the back.

Reality Check

In one long sentance the director of scouting for a USHL team had this to say about the talent in the state. "We love Minnesota kids, their skill is so high. There are thoroughbreds everywhere when we visit," Glowing remarks for something we take for granted in Minnesota. But he went on to say something that left a bad taste in the mouth of this writer, "...but when we are comparing a Minnesota kid to a Detroit kid and the talent is even, we take the Detroit kid every time," he said. Toughness is subjective, but at the end of the day perception is sometimes harder to overcome than reality.

*2015-16, Source College Hockey, Inc