The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have reached a tentative agreement on a Return to Play Plan and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The agreement will add on an additional four years to the term of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and includes transition rules and a new critical dates calendar. 

As part of the tentative agreement, the following dates have been established. July 13 will mark the start of formal training camps, with July 26 earmarked for clubs to travel to hub cities. August 1 will see the start of the qualifying round. 

The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors, as well as the NHLPA’s Executive Board followed by the full NHLPA membership. The respective review and approval processes will take place over the next few days and there will be no further comment until those processes are completed.

The NHLPA and NHL have also announced details of the frameworks that will govern players and clubs during Phase 3 (formal training camps) and Phase 4 (resumption of competition). The protocols will come into effect only upon ratification of the CBA by the NHLPA and NHL.

In total there are 47 pages of protocols that determine agreed health and safety measures. Each team is limited to 30 skaters and an unlimited number of goaltenders for camp and a total roster of up to 31 players. Each team is limited to 52 personnel per game city, and must include two trainers, a doctor and compliance officer in addition to players, coaches and management.