Every Minnesota State High School All Hockey Hair Team Video

A Minnesota Hockey Tradition

The Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team video series stands as one of the most beloved celebrations of hockey culture in America. Created by John King (who remained anonymous until 2019), this annual tradition began in 2011 as a humorous tribute to the spectacular hairstyles displayed by high school hockey players during the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament.

What started as a simple joke quickly evolved into a viral phenomenon. Each year following the tournament, King would release a video ranking the best "flow," "salad," and "lettuce" (all slang terms for hockey hair) from the participating teams. His witty commentary, coupled with the earnest, often mullet-sporting teenagers, created an irresistible combination that drew millions of views online.

» The Athletic: How the ‘All Hockey Hair Team’ became a Minnesota state tournament tradition

The videos feature a distinctive style of commentary, with King's deadpan delivery of hockey hair-specific terminology and Minnesota-infused humor. Players are celebrated for sporting classic hockey styles like "the waterfall," "the cotton candy," "the tsunami," and the ever-popular produce terminology: lettuce, salad, and some spicy arugula.

Beyond just celebrating hairstyles, the series evolved into a cultural touchstone that highlighted the unique character of Minnesota hockey. What makes these videos special is how they transformed something seemingly insignificant—teenage boys' hairstyles—into a celebration of individuality, tradition, and regional pride. The wholesome nature of the content resonated with viewers far beyond hockey circles.

In 2019, after creating the videos independently for years, King partnered with Warrior Hockey and ultimately raised over $100,000 for the Hendrickson Foundation, which supports hockey programs for military members and people with disabilities. That same year, King announced the 2019 edition would be his "grand finale," but his retirement was short-lived. He came back the next year and has continued to award the golden combs every year since.