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Calgary considered to host NHL Winter Classic: sources

Last Updated: Friday, June 19, 2009 | 12:19 PM MT

CBC Sports

The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks played in the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. (Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press)

After two seasons of NHL games played outdoors south of the border, Canada could be getting in on the action for the next Winter Classic.

Calgary, to be exact.

According to sources, the NHL is considering a New Year's Day doubleheader that would see a second game played at Calgary's McMahon Stadium on Jan. 1, 2010.

A final decision likely won't be made until next month.

The NHL's competition committee, which meets next Thursday in Montreal, needs to provide a green light for the doubleheader to go ahead.

The CBC suggested the doubleheader to the NHL with the second game to take place in Canada after the success of the Winter Classic the last two years.

A game in Calgary would likely see the Flames host another Canadian team which, according to one source, could be the Vancouver Canucks.

Fenway to host 2010 Classic?

But a few issues need to be sorted out to make the doubleheader possible.

The NHL bought a mobile ice-making trailer last year, but it can only be used at one venue. McMahon Stadium, site of the 1988 Winter Olympic opening ceremony, also has a large crown in the field that would pose a challenge for Dan Craig and his ice-making team.

The inaugural Winter Classic in 2008 saw Buffalo host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and in January 2009, Chicago and Detroit went head-to-head at Wrigley Field.

Edmonton and Montreal played in the Heritage Classic, an outdoor game held at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in 2003.

Though the first venue for the 2010 Winter Classic has not been made official, it's long been rumoured that the Boston Bruins will play at Fenway Park.

"I'm not in a position to make any announcements right now," commissioner Gary Bettman said when asked about the Winter Classic earlier this week. "I know there are a lot of rumours that are floating about. At last at this point in time, I'm going to leave them rumours."

With files from The Canadian Press

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