Red Wings release 2013 NHL Winter Classic logo

By Michael Caples –

At 4:50 p.m. on August 31, just when everybody was clearing out for a holiday weekend, the Red Wings released the logo for the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, which will be played at The Big House in Ann Arbor.

If a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed upon and the NHL avoids another lengthy lockout, the game is expected to set a new attendance record for the sport.

The Red Wings will take on Original 6 rival Toronto on Jan. 1, 2013, in what will be the final outdoor event of many in the state of Michigan. The Hockeytown Winter Festival will be held at Comerica Park in Detroit – featuring college, juniors, AHL, and NHL alumni games – throughout the month of December, before attention shifts to Ann Arbor for the latest installment of the Winter Classic.