Red Wings GM confirms 2014 NHL Winter Classic will be at Michigan Stadium

Posted on Wed, Jan 16, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.

Red Wings GM confirms 2014 NHL Winter Classic will be at Michigan Stadium

By Pete Cunningham

Had it not been for a pesky lockout, the 2013 NHL Winter Classic would have taken place at Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland confirmed on Wednesday that the teams still plan to play at the Big House in 2014.

Holland said the Red Wings and Maple Leafs will play in the annual outdoor New Year's Day game in 2014, but that the surrounding events -- which originally included an outdoor Great Lakes Invitational at Comerica Park -- will be "tweaked."

When the NHL announced that the Winter Classic was cancelled back in November, it was said that the next Winter Classic would be at Michigan Stadium, but in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement, nothing was certain. Holland's statement confirms that event should still be on track for 2014.

Read the entire Detroit Free Press article.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.

Comments

UncleMao

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 4 p.m.

I've already stared tailgating.

PWJT8D

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.

You all can whine and complain all you want. I'm going to do what it takes to get to the Winter Classic.

A2M3

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 4:22 a.m.

Unless the rich folks strike again.

YpsiGreen

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.

...and you're assuming people will still care?

Pete Cunningham

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 3:36 p.m.

It doesn't matter if you, or anyone in the United States for that matter, cares. The Canadian border is a stone's throw away and you have that country's version of the Yankees, Cowboys and Lakers rolled into one coming to town. If the NHL opened ticket sales exclusively to Canadians (don't put it past them) this event would still sell out in a day.

Blue Marker

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 3:10 a.m.

I was disappointed with the pricing when announced for 2013. I'm sure it will be the same or higher for '14. I really wanted to go but can't stomach paying $175.00 a seat to not see hockey.

Pete Cunningham

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 3:32 p.m.

I've said it once, I'll say it again: it doesn't matter if people around Ann Arbor, Detroit or Michigan want to pay for these tickets or go to this game because there are thousands of Canadian Maple Leafs fans who do. The average price for these tickets will be under what it costs to go to any of the 41 home games in Toronto, and if there is a fan base that proves time and time again that they will stay loyal regardless of the actions of management, it's Leafs fans.

A2M3

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 4:23 a.m.

Don't forget the UM seat premium!

Kai Petainen

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 12:26 a.m.

awesomeness

lefty48197

Wed, Jan 16, 2013 : 11:44 p.m.

Hockey?? Doesn't spring training start soon???

Pete Cunningham

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 : 12:19 a.m.

Pitchers and catchers are to report to Joe Louis Arena by Monday to be fitted for pads and skates.