The first-ever NHL Centennial Classic is coming to Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Detroit Red Wings at an outdoor game at BMO Field in Toronto on January 1, 2017.
The NHL will celebrate 100 years in 2017 and will conduct year-long ceremonies and special events in celebration. The year 2017 also marks the 100th for the Maple Leafs.
“This meeting of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs offers an ideal launch for a fantastic 2017 the year in which the National Hockey League will celebrate its Centennial, Toronto will commemorate 100 years of NHL play and Canada will observe the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says in a statement.
The home of the Toronto FC soccer club, BMO Field has been undergoing renovations as it prepares to add the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for the start of the 2016 season.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs are thrilled to host the 2017 NHL Centennial Classic and what will be a signature moment in our club’s 100th anniversary celebrations next season to share with all Leafs fans,” Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan said.
“BMO Field has been undergoing an impressive two-year long transformation and will make a wonderful site for this historic match-up with the Red Wings. We look forward to working with the NHL to help create what will be an important and memorable occasion for the game of hockey.”
The Leafs and Wings previously met in Michigan at the 2014 Winter Classic. Fans saw Toronto victorious 3-2 in a shootout.
