Well, we’ve finally confirmed the news we hoped we would get when this day started.

Our sources in Las Vegas with extensive knowledge of the organization and the expansion process have confirmed the Executive Committee formulated a positive recommendation for expansion to Las Vegas and the official announcement will come on June 22nd prior to the NHL Awards ceremony.

There has not yet been confirmation on division, expansion draft date, or any other details as previously reported by Francois Gagnon.

The announcement is currently scheduled to take place at a press conference in Las Vegas to be held before the Awards, not during. The league has had a habit of changing these types of events before, but at the moment that’s when Commissioner Bettman is expected, presumably with The Creator by his side, to say the magic words and grant Las Vegas its first major professional sports franchise.

The next step in the process is for Mr. Foley to sign the expansion contract and send it, plus $500 million, back to the league. At that point, the 30 owners will vote at the Board of Governors meeting to accept the expansion contract and expand the league to 31. Las Vegas will begin play in the 2017-18 season.

Our sources were not told directly whether or not Quebec City will also be awarded a franchise, but we were told “it’s pretty much widely assumed we’re coming in alone.”

So crack a cold one, click the link, and sing it with me people

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!