Toronto Maple Leafs favorites to host 2017 Winter Classic

Dec 31, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer watches a puck as he wears a go-pro camera on top of his mask during practice the day before the Winter Classic hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

A recent report has the Toronto Maple Leafs as the favorites to host the 2017 Winter Classic to celebrate the team’s 100th anniversary.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be celebrating their centennial during the 2016-2017 season. They could be celebrating it on January 1st, 2017 with a Winter Classic at BMO Field, according to a recent report.

From ESPN:

"The Toronto Maple Leafs are the front-runner to host next year’s Winter Classic for their centennial season, although sources say it’s not a done deal at this point. The Maple Leafs, like the NHL, are celebrating their 100-year anniversary next season, so either way, sources say an outdoor game at BMO Field is likely. The question is whether it’s the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 or a Stadium Series game later in the season. The New York Rangers are the front-runner to play the Leafs in the Winter Classic should Toronto get it."

A 2017 Winter Classic in Toronto makes sense. Toronto has a very passionate fanbase but they’ve never hosted a Winter Classic. The choice of BMO Field is an interesting one. The NHL has far better venues available. Rogers Centre would make a ton of sense because they could play it with the roof open. It also allows for a larger audience and therefore more revenue from ticket sales.

Should Toronto receive the honor of hosting the 2017 Winter Classic, it would be the Leafs second Winter Classic. The Leafs faced the Red Wings in the 2014 Winter Classic which was played in Michigan.

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