Press Release courtesy of SVSU Athletics
East Lansing, Mich. - For the first time in its history, the Great Lakes Invitational will be played outdoors and will be part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival in December, as a leadup to the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. The National Hockey League announced today that the Winter Classic will be played between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs in a press conference at Comerica Park's Tiger Club.
Michigan State, host Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University will comprise the 2012 Great Lakes Invitational field. The tournament, which will celebrate its 48th season in December, is traditionally played at Joe Louis Arena.
In concert with the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, beginning in mid-December Comerica Park in downtown Detroit will be home to a celebration of hockey titled the Hockeytown Winter FestivalTM. The main attraction of the festival will be an ice rink built on the Comerica Park field where a special game between notable Red Wings and Maple Leafs alumni - the NHL Alumni Showdown - will be played. The outdoor rink at Comerica Park will feature games between teams representing every level of hockey and opportunities for open skating for the public. Over a quarter of a million fans are expected to watch youth games, high school hockey games, sled hockey games, AHL games, OHL games and more.
On Tuesday, Jan. 1, the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® could set an all-time world attendance record for a hockey game when the Red Wings and Maple Leafs face off at Michigan Stadium. The outdoor game between Michigan State and Michigan last season at Michigan Stadium set a world record with more than 104,000 fans in attendance.
"We are honored to host the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® and bring the Hockeytown Winter Festival to our fans," said Red Wings Owner Michael Ilitch in a press release. "This is one of the greatest sports towns ever, and to be able to host this celebration of the sport of hockey will provide a tremendous positive economic impact to our community. We are proud to show the world why we love Hockeytown!"
"I think this is a tremendous opportunity for our program," said Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos. "For the players, it's special to be able to participate in an outdoor game. For us to be involved in a celebration of this magnitude gives us a chance to show the world how important hockey is in our state."
"We're excited that Michigan State will be a part of this celebration of hockey around the 2013 Bridgestone Winter Classic," added MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. "We continue to look back with pride that we hosted the first "modern" outdoor game back in 2001, and over the last decade, it has grown into a wonderful celebration of hockey that allows for more teams, more players, and more fans to enjoy the thrill of an outdoor game."
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