Leafs expected in Winter Classic, according to source
Written by on February 8th, 2012 in Latest News.
A person familiar with the NHL’s plot says the Detroit Red Wings will play the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 Winter Classic.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league is not expected to announce the lineup until Thursday.
The league said Wednesday on its website that a press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET at Comerica Park in Detroit, and the event will continue at Michigan Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents said earlier Wednesday that it had authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL for the Winter Classic, though no deal had been approved or signed yet.
The board called a special meeting Wednesday to discuss renting Michigan Stadium to the league for the outdoor hockey game, which is expected to be the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have all hosted the Winter Classic, but a game at Michigan Stadium would likely draw the league’s largest crowd.
The Wolverines and rival Michigan State attracted a Guinness World Record 104,173 people for a hockey game on Dec. 11, 2010.
With files from The Associated Press
