He was raised in Flint , Michigan and played college hockey for the University of Vermont for four years from 1993 â `` 1997 , during which , he was selected 217th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft . Raised in Flint , Michigan , Thomas played college hockey for the University of Vermont for four years from 1993 â `` 1997 , during which , he was drafted 217th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft .