GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday released the preliminary schedule for their 2012 Hockeytown Winter Festival, including the American Hockey League game at Comerica Park. The Grand Rapids Griffins will take on the Toronto Marlies on Sunday, Dec. 30, as part of the two-week long lead-up to the 2013 NHL Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on Jan. 1.

The game will mark the Griffins’ first outdoor game and the fifth outdoor contest in AHL history. The 2011-12 season featured two games that were staged in the elements: a 4-3 overtime victory for Adirondack over Hershey on Jan. 6 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and a 7-2 win for Toronto over Hamilton on Jan. 21 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.

The Red Wings’ Hockeytown Winter Festival is slated to start with a “Celebration of Hockey” from Dec. 15-26, which leads up to a series of college, junior and NHL alumni contests before the much-anticipated NHL Winter Classic. To view the complete preliminary schedule, click here.

All ticket prices, policies and procedures will be announced in the coming months. Fans wishing to receive Griffins-Marlies ticket information once it’s available are invited to submit their contact information here.