NHL Adds Seattle as the League’s 32nd Team

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Photo by Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock (9026508e)

The National Hockey League made it official on Tuesday that Seattle will get the league’s 32nd team but will wait until 2021 to start playing.

The decision was approved by the league’s Board of Governors in a unanimous decision. However, the yet to be named team will wait until 2021 to start competing since they are yet to renovate their arena.

“Today is a day for celebration in a great city that adores and avidly supports its sports team and for our 101-year-old sports league,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

“Expanding to Seattle makes the National Hockey League more balanced, even more, whole and even more vibrant. A team in Seattle evens the numbers of teams in our two conferences, bringing our geographic footprint into greater equilibrium and creates instant new rivalries out west, particularly between Seattle and Vancouver.”

Seattle’s mayor Jenny Durkan broke the news earlier before the official release while at a party in the city.

“I got a call from a mole in the room and it was a unanimous vote. We are getting hockey.”

Seattle was awarded the bid after news emerged the Seattle Hockey Partners had impressed the league’s board by meeting all the expected conditions. The NHL wanted a down arena in a sports craze city. The new team had to be properly managed and with the finances to back it up.