The NHL Board of Governors has a new chairman. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was elected to the position on Tuesday, filling the role vacated by the outgoing Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins.
Calgary Flames owner Murray Edwards will work alongside Leonsis as the board’s vice chair.
The league’s governing board is largely responsible for deciding league policies and making business decisions with representatives from each of the 32 clubs alongside Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Jacobs served as chairman for 19 years, helping to oversee the league as it navigated expansion and a growing salary cap.
Now Leonsis — who also owns the NBA’s Wizards and the WNBA’s Mystics — takes over.
“Long before I became an owner, I was a fan of this game and of the Washington Capitals. I love hockey and have a profound belief in its potential — we have proven in Washington how investing in a team, its fans and in a community can create a true hockey city. …” Leonsis said in a statement. “Our opportunity now is to continue growing our game, serve our fans well and build an even stronger National Hockey League.”
The league expanded to an 84-game schedule for the upcoming campaign. The season starts on Sept. 29, when the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.