March madness has the state of Minnesota jumping this week, but I’m not referring to dribbles. I’m talking dangles. The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament is less than one period away from the conclusion of its last championship game. Once again, storied teams like Warroad (OG Hockeytown USA), Minnetonka, Moorhead, and Edina (I just threw up in my mouth a little bit), took to the ice in St. Paul’s Grand Casino Arena (a.k.a., home of the Minnesota Wild, a.k.a. the G-Spot, a.k.a. the Arena Previously Known as the X) to determine who would bring home hardware in 2026.
The tournament first began in 1945 and every year, has brought the State of Hockey and its thousands of fans together to cheer and chirp. The tourney never fails to entertain the sold-out crowds and provide lifelong memories for the players and coaches.
Some of the highlights in this year’s tournament include a between-the-legs goal by a high school freshman, a three-goal flurry in 88 seconds from an 0-2 deficit to a 3-2 lead, extra-attacker goals with seconds left in regulation, thrilling OT wins, a diving save from a pulled goalie retreating back to his crease and over 120,000 fans from all over the state and beyond to pack the seats.
Synonymous with the annual tournament is, of course, the hair. Players and teams bring a variety of looks to player intros at the start of each game. Mullets, afros, corn rows, numerous shaved designs and mohawks. State-wide inventory levels of bleach and hair dye took a dip this week with entire teams going with a bleached style and/or full-on color blitz.
Whichever type of salad players choose, the story of the all-hair team and tradition has become news nation-wide long before this season from local newspapers and vloggers to the New York Times and ESPN’s Sportscenter.
Without further ado, I hereby present the best of the best 2026 all-hair team.
Congratulations to the 2026 1A Champion, Warroad Warriors who prevailed in overtime 5-4 over the Hibbing/Chisholm and to the Moorhead Spuds who won back-to-back championships over the Minnetonka Skippers in Class AA coming back from a three-goal deficit after the first period to win in double OT, 5-4. Amazing championship Saturday with two OT thrillers.
Hockey equipment flew all over the ice (and even into the stands). Kids on winning and losing teams had tears flowing postgame. Medal ceremonies included the awarding of the 2026 Herb Brooks Award to a cake-eater from Edina (insert boos here), the 2026 All-Tournament Team and of course championship medals and trophies.
And so that concludes another incredible state hockey tournament in the State of Hockey. More Minnesota hockey, including the remainder of the MN Wild and Frost seasons and playoff chases can be found by following me at The Morning Skate.
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