"A source has confirmed to the Free Press that the Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1, 2013, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Red Wings won't get to announce that they're hosting the Winter Classic until next month, but that's only because logistics won't allow it.

The Wings asked to host the game right after participating in the 2009 game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. Detroit was an easy selection for the NHL and NBC, which broadcasts the game, because of the rich history of the Wings and Detroit's wintry location. But it remained to be negotiated whether it would be held at Michigan Stadium, which can hold a record-setting crowd topping 110,000, or at Detroit's Comerica Park, property of Wings owner Mike Ilitch. "