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2013 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium?

Fanatic said:
This could set an NHL record for attendance.

Yahoo
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The Leafs are being discussed, according to the article, as a potiential opponent.  Would be great if a Detroit/Maple Leafs Winter Classic match-up breaks attendance records, indeed.
 
crossing my fingers the Leafs are in the winter classic, they were talking about it in the intermission of the Boston Montreal game and Makenzie said NBC was cool with it.
 
Greg Brady posted a few tweets on the subject. He's not exactly the most reliable source, but still here they are pieced together:

3 Tidbits on the 2013 Winter Classic: 1. Game is obviously back on January 1st because New Year's Day is a Tuesday. 2. Told by multiple sources, game is almost certainly Maple Leafs at Red Wings. NO formal invite just yet. 3. DRW owner Mike Ilitch wants this game at Comerica Park very badly, NHL itself trying to sway to Michigan Stadium. Comerica more profitable for DRW, Michigan more profitable for NHL. Would bet it all gets worked out & potentially announced All-Star weekend at latest. Nothing on HBO 24/7, etc. Might/might not happen again.
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Potvin29 said:
Please let this happen.  It is close enough for me to drive to, and it would be just after I get back to Canada.
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Yup, I'll finally be out of school, but have no idea where I'll be at. Either way, this would be something I'd have to get tickets to.
 
I've been hearing rumblings of Leafs/Wings for the past week or so. Another thing I heard was that Washington was told they weren't getting the 2013 game, but one further in the future, which helps support this rumour.
The Big House and Comerica have both been discussed as possible venues and having been to both I prefer the Big House. Ann Arbor is so much nicer than Detroit and you can't beat a crowd of 100,000 plus.
A lot of ignorant comments in the American media about this, basically saying that it wouldn't do well if a Canadian team was a part of it. Anyone who thinks Detroit/Toronto @ the Big House would do poorly is insane!
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Greg Brady posted a few tweets on the subject. He's not exactly the most reliable source, but still here they are pieced together:

3 Tidbits on the 2013 Winter Classic: 1. Game is obviously back on January 1st because New Year's Day is a Tuesday. 2. Told by multiple sources, game is almost certainly Maple Leafs at Red Wings. NO formal invite just yet. 3. DRW owner Mike Ilitch wants this game at Comerica Park very badly, NHL itself trying to sway to Michigan Stadium. Comerica more profitable for DRW, Michigan more profitable for NHL. Would bet it all gets worked out & potentially announced All-Star weekend at latest. Nothing on HBO 24/7, etc. Might/might not happen again.
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In this instance, I'd think he'd be a very reliable source having worked the radio beat in Detroit.  I'm sure he's well connected on this one. 
 
Fanatic said:
This could will set an NHL record for attendance.

Yahoo
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A slam-dunk.  They filled it for Michigan vs. State and the place would be nuts if it were Wings vs. Leafs.  They keep expanding it; when I was in school there it seated just over 100K and now it's north of 110.

The whole thing would be freaking, freaking, FREAKING awesome.
 
Captain Canuck said:
A lot of ignorant comments in the American media about this, basically saying that it wouldn't do well if a Canadian team was a part of it. Anyone who thinks Detroit/Toronto @ the Big House would do poorly is insane!
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I'm guessing that they're talking more about the American TV numbers than they are attendance issues and in that regard Detroit/Toronto definitely doesn't have the appeal south of the border that Philly/NYR does. Like it or lump it the Winter Classic is an event almost entirely driven by TV exposure.
 
I'm thinking our alumni team is mostly Leafs from when I was a kid and they were in the playoffs

Sundin, Nieuwendyk, Roberts, Mogilny, Clark, Gilmour, Lindross, Leech, Tucker, Domi, Nolan are the ones I can think of off hand. 

goalies are obviously Cujo and Belfour possibly Potvin if we need a third

a lot of the other good ones are just too old to play
 
McPwnage said:
I'm thinking our alumni team is mostly Leafs from when I was a kid and they were in the playoffs

Sundin, Nieuwendyk, Roberts, Mogilny, Clark, Gilmour, Lindross, Leech, Tucker, Domi, Nolan are the ones I can think of off hand. 

goalies are obviously Cujo and Belfour possibly Potvin if we need a third

a lot of the other good ones are just too old to play
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Bah. Most of those guys were in the league a couple years ago. If this year's alumni rosters are any indication you're more likely to see guys from the 80's. Fine by me. Bring on the Ellets, the Salmings, the Damphousses and the Maroii.
 
Saint Nik said:
Bah. Most of those guys were in the league a couple years ago. If this year's alumni rosters are any indication you're more likely to see guys from the 80's. Fine by me. Bring on the Ellets, the Salmings, the Damphousses and the Maroii.
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Sittler, Turnbull, McDonald, Paiement . . . ;D
 
Saint Nik said:
Captain Canuck said:
A lot of ignorant comments in the American media about this, basically saying that it wouldn't do well if a Canadian team was a part of it. Anyone who thinks Detroit/Toronto @ the Big House would do poorly is insane!
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that they're talking more about the American TV numbers than they are attendance issues and in that regard Detroit/Toronto definitely doesn't have the appeal south of the border that Philly/NYR does. Like it or lump it the Winter Classic is an event almost entirely driven by TV exposure.
Click to expand...

Most definitely t.v. numbers were a big part of it, but it seemed like there was more to it than that. The vibe I got was that the media south of the border viewed the Winter Classic not as an NHL event, but as an "American" hockey event. They seemed to turn their nose up at the possibility of a Canadian team being part of "their" event.

I guess I can't get my head around how ANY hockey fan wouldn't tune in for or attend Toronto/Detroit or Montreal/Boston, but as you aluded to the hype generated on t.v. is a big part of this event, be it through the 24/7 series, giant electonic billboards in Times Square or coloured lights on the Empire State Building.
 
Captain Canuck said:
Saint Nik said:
Captain Canuck said:
A lot of ignorant comments in the American media about this, basically saying that it wouldn't do well if a Canadian team was a part of it. Anyone who thinks Detroit/Toronto @ the Big House would do poorly is insane!
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that they're talking more about the American TV numbers than they are attendance issues and in that regard Detroit/Toronto definitely doesn't have the appeal south of the border that Philly/NYR does. Like it or lump it the Winter Classic is an event almost entirely driven by TV exposure.
Click to expand...

Most definitely t.v. numbers were a big part of it, but it seemed like there was more to it than that. The vibe I got was that the media south of the border viewed the Winter Classic not as an NHL event, but as an "American" hockey event. They seemed to turn their nose up at the possibility of a Canadian team being part of "their" event.

I guess I can't get my head around how ANY hockey fan wouldn't tune in for or attend Toronto/Detroit or Montreal/Boston, but as you aluded to the hype generated on t.v. is a big part of this event, be it through the 24/7 series, giant electonic billboards in Times Square or coloured lights on the Empire State Building.
Click to expand...

in my mind its plpain and simple...you include the leafs or you risk not selling out.  I think the leafs are the only team that guarantees a sellout in Ann Arbor.  Could they sell out with another team?  maybe...but they WILL sell out with the leafs.
 
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