National Hockey League President John Ziegler stands at a podium in a nondescript conference room inside the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach.
“The Board of Governors of the National Hockey League have granted conditional franchises to the applicants representing the city of Ottawa,” Ziegler announces.
Wild applause breaks out from the predominantly pro-Ottawa audience. Ottawa brought a marching band and booster group to the announcement.
Ziegler raises his hands, asking for quiet.
“There’s one more,” he says, smiles.
The crowd softens.
“And Tampa”
Polite applause, except from the background, where, distinctively, Phil Esposito can be heard yelling.