Champaign, Ill., is a college town full of storied sports success, and current sports dismay. But, with recent hirings of ex-Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and ex-Oklahoma State basketball coach Brad Underwood, the future is bright, and there’s a buzz throughout the Illini fan base. With hope in the air, there is no better time to add a Division I hockey program to the town, giving fans yet another popular sport to embrace. So two questions now remain: Will the city get a team, and will the Chicago Blackhawks have a role in it?
There are 60 D-I college hockey teams in the country, and 20 states have at least one team.