NHL to make ‘major announcement’ in Michigan
Written by on February 8th, 2012 in Latest News.
The NHL said Thursday that it “will make a major announcement” in Detroit on Thursday, amid speculation that next year’s Winter Classic game will be held in Michigan.
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, Mich.
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
