The Toronto Maple Leafs appear set to star in next year's NHL Winter Classic.
The Leafs, who have openly coveted a chance to play in the annual outdoor hockey game, have been linked to next season's edition alongside the Detroit Red Wings.
The Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that the Wings and Leafs will face off at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Jan. 1, 2013.
According to the paper, the official announcement is expected to come next month.
The Maple Leafs began drooling over a chance to play in the Winter Classic after the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the New York Rangers this year.
Forward Nazem Kadri told reporters that he watches the game every year and playing in it is "something that definitely needs to happen for sure."
Shortly after, Leafs general manager Brian Burke said on Twitter that the only way cameras would be allowed behind the scenes with his team is if it were ahead of an outdoor game.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that next year's game would be held in an entirely new venue, with Detroit quickly becoming a speculative frontrunner.
The Wings asked to host the game after playing against the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009. Michigan Stadium hosts the University of Michigan football team and can hold a crowd of 110,000 – which would be a Winter Classic attendance record.
The venue held a NCAA outdoor hockey game in December 2010.
With files from The Canadian Press
