Seattle Awarded NHL franchise

SEATTLE, Washington, (24-7 News)--The Columbus Blue Jackets will soon be booking road trips to Seattle.

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors has voted to award an expansion franchise to Seattle, with the team beginning play in the 2021-22 NHL season.

An expansion draft will take place in June 2021 to fill out that roster, and the team does not yet have a name.

The expansion will bring the league to 32 teams when the Seattle franchise hits the ice. The team will be in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, which will prompt the Arizona Coyotes to move to the Central Division of the conference.

The Blue Jackets became the NHL's 30th team back in 2000. The league expanded to Las Vegas, which began play in the 2017-18 season.

(photo courtesy Getty Images)


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