The Twins "would like to host" the NHL Winter Classic, and also are "giving serious consideration to hosting outdoor college and high school games at Target Field next winter," according to Charley Walters of the ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS. The Twins will have reps at Fenway Park and Progressive Field "within the next few weeks to observe outdoor college hockey games." Progressive Field "will host a game between Ohio State and Michigan, and Fenway Park will host a college and high school hockey showcase." The Twins feel the Fenway Park model, "which will include 16 days of college and high school outdoor games, could work at Target Field." The Univ. of Minnesota "has considered a series of outdoor college and prep hockey games for its TCF Bank Stadium, but the cost has been prohibitive." If the school's men's and women's games "were not included at Target Field for some reason, the Twins still could host other Division I teams from around the state and North Dakota." Some Division III teams "could be included, too." Walters notes the site for the '13 Winter Classic "hasn't been determined, but a good bet is Michigan Stadium." The NHL also has yet to determine the site for the '14 Winter Classic, but the Twins "are expected to be awarded Major League Baseball's All-Star Game for that year, and hosting both at Target Field would seem a challenge" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/6).
