Michigan Stadium to host Red Wings/Toronto Winter Classic

[Stalker]

http://www.freep.com/article/20120118/SPORTS05/120118018

A source has confirmed to the Free Press that the Red Wings will host Original Six rival Toronto Jan. 1, 2013, at Michigan Stadium.

The Red Wings won't get to announce that they're hosting the Winter Classic until next month, but that's only because logistics won't allow it.

The Wings asked to host the game right after participating in the '09 game against the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. Detroit was an easy selection for the NHL and NBC, which broadcasts the game, because of the rich history of the Wings and Detroit's wintry location, but it remained to be negotiated whether it would be held at Michigan Stadium, which will guarantee a record-setting crowd topping 110,000, or at Comerica Park, property of Wings owner Mike Ilitch.

The appeal of setting an attendance record - along with the fact players prefer the rectangular set-up of a football field versus that of a baseball stadium -- made Ann Arbor a logical choice.
That the Wings would host the game, whom they would host and where they would host, has been parsed at length for the past few weeks, and there was speculation the event would be announced before next week's All-Star Game. However, the Wings aren't able to commit to an on-site announcement until the second week of February. They are at Phoenix Thursday, travel Friday, play Saturday and Monday, travel to Montreal next Tuesday and play the Canadiens next Wednesday. Immediately after the All-Star break they're in Western Canada and Phoenix through Feb. 6, so look for an announcement right after that.

 

[02GTVert]

Good news! The Winter Classic should always include at least one of the Original 6 teams!

 

[ReiKo]

http://www.freep.com/article/20120118/SPORTS05/120118018

I call dibs on your tickets... :icon_bigg

 

[99lsWON]

AWESOME news. i was hoping they would have it at the UM instead of comerica. im going to do everything i possibly can for tickets to this.

 

[Stalker]

I call dibs on your tickets... :icon_bigg

I don't think my season tickets through U of M gets me any special treatment. I'd talk to mark as I assume he would get dibs on any ticket purchases.

 

[ReiKo]

If you do let me know please...


And can you imagine 110,000 people screaming "Let's go Red Wings..."


And think they will serve beer? :hmm:

 

[Stalker]

If you do let me know please...


And can you imagine 110,000 people screaming "Let's go Red Wings..."


And think they will serve beer? :hmm:

If I do, you get dibs (assuming my dad does, but that's a given).

 

[LITTLEMAGS]

i will be calling Ira...I have his cell and WILL be getting tickets! He owes me now

 

[DetroitStyle]

Awesome news... but holy shit is parking going to be a disaster without the golf course...

 

[Ozz]

If you do let me know please...


And can you imagine 110,000 people screaming "Let's go Red Wings..."

Considering the Leafs season ticket holders get equal first crack at tickets, I doubt that's going to happen. Either way it's going to be insane, and either way I'll be there!

 

[Killjoy]

Awesome news, and I'm definitely going to get tickets as well. Just don't expect to actually see much of the game.

 

[jsxtreme]

Someone jumped the gun on this. David Brandon said they're still talking it over with the NHL, and nothing had been made official yet.

 

[grey05st]

Going to have to put purse holders in the locker room

 

[mark468]

why in gods name jan 1 , its ncaa football time , thats all people care about, this might be a hit in michigan but will flop everywhere else, bad planning IMO

 

[DetroitStyle]

why in gods name jan 1 , its ncaa football time , thats all people care about, this might be a hit in michigan but will flop everywhere else, bad planning IMO

:werd: Not to mention... it was about 48 degrees on Jan 1st this year.... They need to do it in Feb to at least TRY to make sure it's below freezing!

 

[mark468]

:werd: Not to mention... it was about 48 degrees on Jan 1st this year.... They need to do it in Feb to at least TRY to make sure it's below freezing!

Agree, i mean god forbid U-M plays on jan 1 , Better not put this game at the same time slot as the NCAA games , it will be a ratings disaster,

 

[mustangjoe87]

Good news! The Winter Classic should always include at least one of the Original 6 teams!

Agreed!

 

[FLAGMANBILL]

That's so cool. I grew up in ann arbor just a little over 1.5 miles from the stadium . Id kill to go but watching it warm on my plasma will be fun also

 

[YLWFVR]

Someone jumped the gun on this. David Brandon said they're still talking it over with the NHL, and nothing had been made official yet.

Good. They need to keep it in DETROIT, not Ann Arbor. No reason they can't set it up at Comerica. Just like they did in Chicago in 09.

 

[Stalker]

NHL is making an announcement at 1030 tomorrow about this being 'official'.