(Reuters) - The National Hockey League said on Wednesday its Board of Governors have given the go-ahead to opening a formal expansion process but that there was no guarantee any new franchises will ultimately be awarded.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league has received numerous expressions of interest about joining the National Hockey League over the past several years from potential markets and ownership groups.
"The Board decided today to examine those expressions more formally and also to welcome any other groups or markets that may be considering pursuit of an NHL team," Bettman said in a statement.