The National Hockey League (NHL) verified that it will expand the franchise to Las Vegas—which will begin playing as its 31st team for the 2017-18 season.
According to Commissioner Gary Bettman, the Las Vegas franchise was approved in a unanimous vote conducted during the Board of Governors meeting on June 23.
The NHL reported that this expansion is monumental, being one of the only North American professional sports leagues to put a team in Las Vegas. This will be the NHL’s first expansion team since the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild in 2000.
The Las Vegas franchise announcement trailed another announcement from the NHL Board of Governors stating the league will undergo a formal expansion program.
