NHL lockout officially ends, schedule released

Vancouver fans could have another sports team to cheer for in the future according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada. (CTV)

After months in limbo, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have voted, ratified and signed a new collective agreement, officially ending the lockout.

The NHL Players’ Association voted 98 per cent in favour of ratifying the new collective agreement Saturday, but the lockout couldn’t officially end until a memorandum of understanding was signed.

For fans and players, that means they now have a schedule, with the Canucks kicking off their first game on Saturday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m. against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Arena, followed by two more home games. The last scheduled game of the season before playoffs is Saturday April 27.

Sports expert Tom Mayenknecht from Team 1040 explained that the 48-game season is intraconference, meaning Western Conference teams will only compete against other Western teams.

“From a Vancouver Canucks fan's perspective that means no Montreal Canadiens, no Toronto Maple Leafs, and for that matter no Sydney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins," said Mayenknecht.

While the Canucks have been training this week at UBC, it’s been unofficial and without training staff. Training camp for the team will officially begin Sunday.

With files by CTV British Columbia’s Penny Daflos