Maple Leafs set to host Red Wings in Winter Classic rematch

Report: Maple Leafs set to host Red Wings in Winter Classic rematch

TORONTO , ON - JANUARY 1: A record 105,000 fans take in the action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings during NHL game action during the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic January 1, 2014 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images) /

As part of their centennial season, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 Winter Classic.

While 2016-17 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Maple Leafs they haven’t been awarded every event. The All-Star Game will be going to Los Angeles while Chicago is hosting the Draft, but that just meant the Leafs were due to host the Winter Classic. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed as much during Hockey Night in Canada’s Headlines segment (h/t The Score):

"“We are still expecting Toronto on January 1st with the Detroit Red Wings as the opponent. They had a tremendously successful outdoor game a couple of years ago in Ann Arbor.”"

Indeed it was. Their first edition was hosted at the Big House at the University of Michigan where over 105,000 Leafs and Red Wings fans braved the cold and their hangovers to cheer on their teams. The Leafs ultimately won 3-2 in the shootout.

BMO Field is expected to be the venue since it is the only natural outdoor venue in Toronto – the Rogers Centre, while larger in capacity, has a retractable roof. However, that could be problematic since the seats at BMO Field are red, so it’ll look like the crowd will be full of Red Wings fans.

Of course, Toronto isn’t the only Canadian team expected to host an outdoor game next season. Winnipeg will host an outdoor game against the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the season.

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