After Sidney Crosby’s shootout heroics in Orchard Park, New York in front of a crowd of over 71,000, there is no doubt that a surge was sent through the NHL’s fan base. The 2.6 rating that the Winter Classic pulled in was the highest in 12 years for the NHL, a league which often finds itself on the back burner in terms of televised professional sports.

With the last of the hype from this years Winter Classic still lingering in the cold winter air, fans are already looking to next year's high profile game. The only question is who and where? The following are scenarios for next year's Winter Classic; it may seem a little ahead of schedule, but it’s never too early to start planning.

Boston MA, Fenway Park-Boston vs. Montreal

Though it’s not the same pro hockey town of the past, Boston is still one of the biggest hockey hotbeds of the United States. Besides a few sparks of promise, Boston Bruins fans have had little to cheer for in recent seasons. This game pairing them up with the original six rivals would bring back life to a team and region that is trying to make their way back into the mix of playoff teams.

The home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park would provide just over 39,000 seats for Boston and Montreal fans alike. The proverbial holy land for Boston sports fans would be the perfect venue for the high profile game and would make a large mark in the already history rich sports city.

New York, NY, Yankee Stadium-New York vs. New Jersey

Though this idea may be shot down by the baseball powers that be, Yankee Stadium’s 56,000 seats would be the perfect setting to hold all of New York area hockey followers. The Hudson River line rivalry would bring back life into the city that it hasn’t seen since the days of Mark Messier and Mike Richter.

Another game for consideration would be an all New York battle where the Rangers and Islanders would battle it out for bragging rights. Both games would be exciting but more New York area hockey fans would rather see Brodeur with a knit cap over his helmet.

Los Angeles CA, Dodger Stadium-Los Angles vs. Anaheim

These two west coast clubs opened the 2007-08 season across the pond in London this fall and an outdoor game may heat up the rivalry between the two southern California teams, bringing interest to an untraditional hockey city. The first thought that comes to mind with the idea of a Los Angeles outdoor game would be the difficulty of the hot weather.

Most forget that Las Vegas was setting of an NHL exhibition game between the New York Rangers and Wayne Gretzky’s Kings. Though there have been discrepancies about the quality of the ice, if they could pull it off in the desert of Nevada they could do it in Los Angeles.

Chicago IL, Soldier Field-Chicago vs. Detroit

The home of the Chicago Bears would serve as the setting for this game between the up and coming Blackhawks and Hockeytown’s Red Wings. The interest drawn by soon to be superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as well as Detroit’s hockey legacy would make for a great game in a city that is making its way back into the ranks of becoming a playoff hockey team.

The Chicago Sun Times even superimposed a picture of the Hawks facing the Red Wings on the front page of the sports section, which would make one believe that Chicago is ready to get back on the hockey map.

Though it’s still too soon to tell where and when the next outdoor NHL will take place, it's something that fans and players can look forward to. Fans get a chance to see the game they love in a high profile venue with a certain mystique added with the freezing temperatures. Players look forward to the game because there aren’t many hockey players who don’t have memories of skating the local pond till the sun began to set, and this game brings back those memories, and well as building memories for as long as there is a Winter Classic game.