A Numbers Game: Where Michigan ranks in CCHA demographics

By Michael Caples –

Our friends at the Central Collegiate Hockey Association were pulling some numbers today, and they decided to share their findings with MiHockey. Not surprisingly – at least in our biased opinion – Michigan has produced more CCHA players than any other state/province, and by a wide margin.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the numbers:

  • Michigan has produced 75 of the 202 (37 percent) U.S.-born players in the CCHA. The next closest state is Minnesota, which has produced 23 CCHA players.
  • With Canadian and European players included, Michigan has still produced 26 percent of the league’s players (75 of 293). The next closest region is Ontario, Canada, which has produced 12 percent of the CCHA total (35 players).
  • Of the six Michigan-based teams in the CCHA, Michigan State has the most Michigan-born players (17) and U.S.-born players (23).
  • Western Michigan ranks second in U.S.-born players with 22, but third in Michigan-born players, with 12.
  • Ferris State ranks second in Michigan-born players, with 15. The Bulldogs have 20 U.S.-born players.
  • The University of Michigan has 21 U.S.-born players and 11 Michigan-born players.
  • Northern Michigan has 15 U.S.-born players, and seven Michigan-born players. They also have 12 Canadian-born players.
  • Lake Superior only has 11 U.S.-born players, and only one Michigan native. They are the only Michigan-based CCHA school to have more Canadian (15) players than U.S. players.
  • Bowling Green has the most Michigan-born players from the out-of-state schools, with five. Notre Dame has four.
  • Western Michigan has six players from California.
  • The Wolverines have three players from New York.
  • With the exception of Alaska, the Lakers and the Wildcats are the top two schools for Canadian-born players. Alaska has 16, one more than Lake Superior.