2013 Winter Classic: Top Destinations for Next Year's NHL Outdoor Showdown

After the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers battle at Citizens Bank Park in the 2012 Winter Classic, NHL fans will be hoping that their team gets to participate in the NHL's premier regular season event in 2013.

Not only is the Winter Classic really exciting and a truly unique event, it provides a lot of revenue for the host city and its businesses.

People say you cannot create a playoff atmosphere in the regular season, but the Winter Classic comes pretty darn close to creating an intensity similar to the postseason.

There are many possible venues that would be worthy hosts of the next Winter Classic, so let's look at five of those destinations.

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Ann Arbor, Mich.

"The Big House" at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has hosted an outdoor hockey game before and would be a tremendous destination for a future Winter Classic.

This stadium can hold over 110,000 people and set the record for most people ever to witness a live hockey game in 2010, when 104,173 people saw Michigan battle Michigan State on the ice rink sitting over the football field.

The Detroit Red Wings, who represent one of the most successful NHL franchises and loyal fanbases, would be the hosts of the event.

The Red Wings played in the 2009 Winter Classic against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field and deserve to host a Winter Classic.

Some possible matchups for the Red Wings in the 2013 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor include:

Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche

Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks

TCF Bank Stadium

The University of Minnesota football team plays at TCF Bank Stadium, which would be an awesome venue for a Winter Classic. Some of the most passionate hockey fans in the world, especially in terms of their love for outdoor hockey, are found in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Wild are an up-and-coming NHL team that are set up to be a successful franchise for years. They would be a worthy host team for the Winter Classic and have some interesting possible matchups for fans to get excited about.

Those matchups could include:

Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Wild vs. Dallas Stars (formerly the Minnesota North Stars)

Wild vs. Montreal Canadiens

Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers

Invesco Field at Mile High or Coors Field in Denver

Either Invesco Field at Mile High (home of the Denver Broncos) or Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies) would be a fabulous venue for a Winter Classic.

They love hockey in Colorado at both the collegiate and professional level. The Colorado Avalanche have had a very successful tenure in Denver since relocating from Quebec in 1995, winning two Stanley Cups during that time.

The Avalanche are a young team that has a promising future. Let's look at some possible matchups for the Avalanche at either of these stadiums.

Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings

Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks

Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks

Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Busch Stadium

Busch Stadium in St. Louis would be a really awesome destination for a Winter Classic. St. Louis Blues fans are some of the most loyal in the NHL and are always supportive of their team. St. Louis is also one of the best sports cities in America.

The Blues have a good team right now and will only get better as their young players such as TJ Oshie continue to develop. They also have some highly skilled prospects like Vladimir Tarasenko.

Here are some possible Blues matchups for a Winter Classic:

Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings

Blues vs. Minnesota Wild

Blues vs. Nashville Predators

Safeco Field

Safeco Field in Seattle would be a good choice for a future Winter Classic because the city loves its sports teams and the fans are loyal as well.

The Vancouver Canucks would be the hosts of a game in Seattle since the city does not have an NHL franchise, but the Canucks are pretty close to the north in British Columbia.

The Canucks are one of the best teams in the NHL and have several superstar players such as Daniel and Henrik Sedin that create tons of excitement for fans every game.

Here are some possible matchups for the Canucks in a Winter Classic:

Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Canucks vs. Boston Bruins

Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks

Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild