NHL Winter Classic 2013: University of Michigan in Talks with NHL to Host Event

The NHL 2012 Winter Classic featuring the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers was a smashing success. However, the NHL can’t dwell in the past as they must look forward to putting on another terrific event in 2013.

The key to successful events often is the rivalry and teams involved. This would be the case if the current plan in the works comes to fruition. 

Yahoo Sports’ Hockey Blog Puck Daddy  posted the following exclusive scoop today on the NHL’s plans for the future.

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Michigan Stadium is known for being the biggest college football venue in the land, playing to crowds of more than 110,000 every fall. But the 84-year-old stadium, affectionately referred to as The Big House, is also no stranger to outdoor hockey.

And that's got the NHL's ears perked up.

Multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports this week that the NHL is in advanced discussions with the University of Michigan about holding the 2013 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor.

One source, who spoke on a condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, said Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon wasn't initially sold on the idea of the NHL hosting an outdoor game at Michigan Stadium. But over a matter of a couple of weeks, the source said "something happened to make it go from looking like it could happen to [a point where] it probably will."

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Can you imagine 110,000 screaming die-hard NHL fans? The capacity crowd could be a big financial draw for the NHL. This year’s venue, Citizens Bank Park, only held about 46,000 fans and it was still very profitable. With an extra 65,000 tickets, concessions and merchandise being sold, the NHL will make money hand over fist.

Michigan has hosted outdoor hockey games before, and they have been very successful in the past. The University of Michigan in fact actually held an event at the Big House in 2011. 

The outdoor event was a huge success and it thrived due to area. Michigan is an area with rich hockey history especially because of the Detroit Red Wings. Despite the fact that Detroit has participated in an event, they have never hosted the event. This fact could obviously change.

If the NHL was to hold the event here, it is obvious that the Detroit Red Wings would host the event—but who would be the away team?

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According to Sports Business Daily this week, "An NHL exec said that the league will make an announcement on next year's [Winter Classic] 'by the Jan. 29 NHL All-Star Game and that next year's event will 'break records.'"

The two teams being discussed most for the league's annual outdoor are the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. One Michigan source said obstacles remaining include what the university's financial take would be, as well as the issue of obtaining a waiver to sell beer at the event.

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This event would be a huge success. It has the venue, the teams and the rivalry to sell the concept to the NHL and fans. What gets better than having an original-six matchup on national television? The game would draw huge in the United States and Canada, and that should be enough to get the NHL interested.

It is unfortunate that teams are selected based on marketability and ratings because there are some bitter rivalries that may not be featured in the outdoor matinee. This event could shape up to be amazing because it would reach many different markets. Hockey is a sport that is hoping to grow and the NHL has used to Winter Classic to do that.

With only a few weeks until the All-Star game, fans should know what the future holds for the 2013 Winter Classic. There are so many variables to consider but this event would make the most sense. After participating in the event at Wrigley Field, the Red Wings are eager to get back into the Classic new year.

Tom Urtz, Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: