Plymouth Whalers to Play at Comerica Park in Hockeytown Winter Festival

The Plymouth Whalers will face off against the London Knights in an outdoor game at Comerica Park as part of the two-week Hockeytown Winter Festival in Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings' website is reporting.

The festival is a Detroit-based tie-in with the National Hockey League's Jan. 1 Winter Classic between historic rivals Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. The festival will run between December 2012 and January 2013.

The date, time and cost of the Whalers' game still will be determined, the report said, but other games at the Detroit Tigers' baseball stadium will include the Great Lakes Invitational college hockey tournament, usually held at Joe Louis Arena, and another Ontario Hockey League matchup between the Windsor Spitfires and Saginaw Spirit.

“The Ontario Hockey League is most pleased and values the invitation extended to us by the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL to be part of the Winter Classic,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch in a news release.  “We look forward to hopefully concluding the necessary arrangements to be part of this very special and exciting hockey celebration”.

The Red Wings' American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins also will play the Maple Leafs' affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

According to the report, other activities being considered include:

• Youth hockey games
• High school games
• Open skates
• Corporate skating parties
• Sled hockey games

The Red Wings' website has a form hockey fans can fill out to stay informed about the festival and Winter Classic.

Video: Ilitch family announces Hockeytown Winter Festival.