Michigan has had plenty of non-con away games outside the state of Michigan the past decade. At UNH in 2010, at BU and Alaska tournament in 2009, at BU in 2008, at Minnesota for Icebreaker in 2007, Lefty McFadden at Dayton in 2004, some showcase tourney in Buffalo in 2002. But I'd have to think North Dakota is pretty far down on the list of places Michigan would consider going to. Sure, it's a good opponent, but it doesn't really offer anything else. Doesn't get you bonus home games like when you play in Alaska. It's not an easy trip like Dayton (or arguably even places with major airports nearby). It's not a hotbed for hockey talent where you'd want to establish a presence like the Twin Cities/Buffalo/Boston/northeast in general. Regular games against Minnesota are going to give them more than enough presence in the West, so I imagine Michigan will continue to look east for non-conference travel.