Winnipeg to host outdoor NHL game in 2016

Hockey fans in Manitoba are excited to hearWinnipeg will hostanoutdoor NHLgame, either the Heritage Classic or the Winter Classic, in 2016.

A spokesman for True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Winnipeg Jets franchise,confirmed on Tuesday thatInvestors Group Field will play host to the winter event.

• Winnipeg could host NHL Heritage Classic

No firm date has been set yet, norhas an opponent for the Jets been named.

Back in March, True North said somepreliminary discussions had taken place with the hockey league.

"Both parties are very interested in making this event happen for Winnipeg and so we hope to have something finalized in the near future as both parties continue to have those discussions," True North'sScott Brown told CBC News at the time.

Hockey organizer excited

The announcement has surprised and delighted area hockey organizers like Darren Zembik in St. Andrews.

"That's great. Now we can have a Heritage Classic at St. Andrews Community Club in 2016 as well for the little kids," he said Tuesday.

The NHL isn't afraid of Manitoba's harsh winter weather, said Zembik.

"I didn't think anyone would think that we would have it here because of the cold weather. But I think that's just going to be awesome," he said.

"You look at the Grey Cup that was in Saskatchewan. Look how good that did."

Heritage or Winter Classic?

The 2014 Heritage Classic will be played March 2 in Vancouver between theOttawa Senators and theVancouverCanucks.

There hasbeen two other Heritage Classic games, featuringCanadian NHL teams:

• 2003 in Edmonton between theOilersand MontrealCanadiens.
• 2011 in Calgary between the Flames and theCanadiens.

A similar outdoor event, called the Winter Classic,is held on or near New Year's Day in the United States between NHL teams.

The first was hosted in 2008 by theBuffalo Sabres who faced thePittsburgh Penguins.

The Winter Classic has been held annually ever since and has only featured American-based NHL teams.

However, that will change in 2014, when theToronto Maple Leafs are scheduled to visit Detroit to take on the Red Wings Jan. 1 at the stadiumat the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. It has a capacity of more than 109,900.