"Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has been working with the NHL since November on a plan to bring the NHL's Winter Classic to Michigan Stadium. Thursday, the league and the university will unveil those plans for the Jan. 1, 2013 game between the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Michigan stands to gain $3 million by leasing the stadium to the NHL. The NHL hopes to break the hockey attendance record of 104,173, set Dec. 11, 2010, when U-M hosted Michigan State at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan's Board of Regents approved the proposal during a special meeting Wednesday that most regents attended via conference call. Brandon said the contract should be finalized "soon.""