100% that is a factor. Another thing beyond that and coaching is while PSU has a national footprint (duh), regionally we have a huge advantage as well. Henckel is a CT kid living in NJ. He's an East coast kid bottom line. There is no B1G school closer and Cornell is the only trophy contending level team in the region. So much talent out here in general, the primary reason Cael came to PSU.I believe most of these recruits have explicitly stated Olympic aspirations (witness all the PSU recruits still in high school at the recent senior nationals). The NLWC is most certainly dominating the USA team at this point and having exceptional results on the international stage. So in answer to your question, the NLWC is probably at least as important as NCAA competition to most and more important to some. Smart kids, btw.
Henckel being an Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, etc. kid might push him to another B1G school.