its my experience with hockey that outside of Minnesota there is not much state allegiance.
Players in those jr. programs are there so they can make it to the NHL not NCAA. NCAA is a backup plan for most.
Chance knows more about hockey than everyone in that state combined.
Also would this be just another sport where the best athletes in the state leave to play elsewhere?
Also don't forget most college hockey players are quite a bit older than their classmates, they usually play juniors...
Download the app "tuneIn Radio" then search "fighting Illini" I use it when I'm traveling and when I lived in Montana. It is just the Illini radio feed but still good