Las Vegas Officially Awarded NHL Expansion Team Beginning With 2017-18 Season

Welcome to the NHL, Sin City.

The NHL announced Wednesday that the league granted an expansion team to Las Vegas beginning in the 2017-18 season. The move had been reported for a while, but the league’s Borad of Governors made it official at their meeting.

The NHL has granted an expansion franchise to Las Vegas. The team will begin play in 2017-18. pic.twitter.com/8R0WsLDXVi

— NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2016

The annoucnement also means the NHL will have 31 teams starting with the 2017-18 season, and the new Las Vegas squad will play in the Pacific Division.

Each club will continue to play an 82-game schedule, with 41 home games and 41 road games. 2017-18 Schedule Matrix: pic.twitter.com/FCUGUQL4N6

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 22, 2016

The current format for the #StanleyCup Playoffs will not change as a result of the Las Vegas expansion.

— NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2016

The NHL will hold an an expansion draft prior to the 2017 season. The NHL released information on what that means for Las Vegas and the other 30 teams Wednesday.

Expansion draft info pic.twitter.com/a4aDAx3xSN

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2016

More expansion draft info. pic.twitter.com/kAGshnkZ3E

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2016

Draft lottery info for Vegas. pic.twitter.com/AaFPLE44ni

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2016

The Las Vegas team will play in the brand new T-Mobile Arena, which already has hosted many high profile events, including WWE’s Money in the Bank on Sunday.

Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images