NHL officially set to return Jan. 13 with a 56-game schedule

The NHL will return with a 56-game season that starts Jan. 13, the league and players association announced Sunday, following the approval of a return-to-play agreement.

Both sides approved the proposal Friday, but the tentative agreement needed the endorsement of the NHL’s Board of Governors. The NHLPA executive board met Friday night and supported the agreement but was still waiting for it to be formally documented at that time.