GRAND RAPIDS, Mich-
The Winter Classic has been put on ice.
The National Hockey League announced the cancellation of the New Year’s Day game scheduled for Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs due to the current lockout.
The NHL and the Players Association are trying to work out a new collective bargaining agreement. Without a new CBA in place, the NHL locked out the players on September 15.
Along with the Winter Classic, several other events scheduled as part of a Hockeytown Winter Festival have been canceled as well. This includes the Great Lakes Invitational and the Grand Rapids Griffins game against the Toronto Marlies scheduled for December 30 at Comerica Park.
The Griffins-Marlies game will now be played at Van Andel Arena on December 29. For those that purchased tickets to the game at Comerica Park, refunds will be sent through the organization that sold the tickets. The NHL, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and the Toronto Marlies were all involved in selling tickets to the game and the Winter Classic. The Griffins will also refund any service fees included in purchasing the tickets.
Tickets to the Griffins-Marlies game at Comerica Park will not be valid or exchangable for the Griffins-Marlies rescheduled game at Van Andel Arena.
Griffins full season ticket holders – who did not receive a Dec. 30 ticket as part of their 2012-13 package – will have until Nov. 25 to obtain their seats for the Dec. 29 rescheduled date by redeeming either their Bring a Friend vouchers, the flex tickets they originally received in lieu of a 38th home game at Van Andel Arena, or unused season tickets from games that have already been played.
For all other fans wishing to attend the Dec. 29 game, tickets will go on sale on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. through griffinshockey.com/buytickets, The Zone at Van Andel Arena, and all Star Tickets outlets (800-585-3737).
