NHL board approves expansion process

National Hockey League’s board of governors has given the green light to open the league’s expansion process.

National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman announced the decision during the league’s annual awards ceremony on Wednesday.

NHL will now examine bids from interested markets, including Las Vegas, Seattle, Quebec and a second team in Toronto, as well as from Milwaukee, Kansas City and Portland.

“We will, probably starting in early July, accept formal applications from entities, people that are interested in pursuing an expansion team,” said Bettman after the meeting. “We will then go through a formal vetting process.”