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NHL to make “major announcement” in Detroit on Thursday

Eastern Michigan v Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 17: Fans attend the game between Eastern Michigan University Eagles and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan 31-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

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According to a press release currently making the rounds, the NHL is holding a major press conference tomorrow in Detroit to announce...something.

(Hint: It probably rhymes with Binter Blassic. Teams involved probably rhyme with Bings and Beafs.)

The presser will take place in two parts. The first is at Comerica Park -- home of Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers -- the second at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, home of Wolverines football.

The press conference comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that the Michigan Board of Regents approved the license of Michigan Stadium for the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, with one of the regents -- Andrea Fischer Newman -- calling it a “great win for everybody.” With a football capacity of 109,901, “The Big House” will make for an epic NHL stage. It was the site of 2010’s Big Chill between the Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans, which drew a record audience of 113,411.

As for how Comerica Park plays into all of this? Chuck Pleiness of the Macomb Daily reports it will host an American Hockey League game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies, the minor league affiliates of the Wings and Leafs. It will also be the site of the Great Lakes Invitational (an annual collegiate men’s hockey tournament usually held at Joe Louis Arena) along with Ontario Hockey League, high school and youth games.

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