It's probably the worst kept secret in the league by this point, but I'd like to officially announce that the SHL will be expanding to two more cities for the league's 46th season.

This isn't a decision we made overnight, it's been under discussion for the past three seasons to determine if and when would be the proper time to add two additional teams to the league, and at this point it's pretty clear that the time for expansion is at hand.

While all of the details are still being finalized, we do have rules for the expansion draft to present to you today. These have already been run by the GMs.

Quote:Teams must submit a protected list of 7 F, 3 D, 1 G or 8 S, 1 G. All players drafted in the last two seasons (S44/S45) are automatically protected. These protection slots cannot be traded.

If a team elects to expose an FA and that player is drafted by an expansion team, that player will be unable to return to the team that exposed them for one season. The expansion team will hold RFA rights to that player for one season. If the rights to this player are traded by the expansion team, they lose their temporary RFA status.

Each team will lose two players to the expansion draft.

GMs, Co-GMs, and players with NMCs/NTCs must be protected unless they are willing to waive.

The expansion draft will take place in the offseason, prior to the S46 SHL Entry Draft. In the draft lottery, each expansion team will have odds equal to the 3rd highest team, 20 balls.

More details on expansion, including how to apply for an expansion GM slot, will be released soon.

On behalf of the SHL Head Office,

Eggy