NEW YORK (AP) — NHL players are ready to go back to work, but the lockout isn't over yet.
After a 36-hour vote that ended Saturday morning, the players' association announced that its members approved the deal reached with the league last week.
However, the sides continued to work to complete a difficult memorandum of understanding that must be signed before camps can open and the new schedule to be released.
Until then, hockey can't get back to regular business.
The league's board of governors unanimously ratified the contract on Wednesday. The plan was for training camps to open on Sunday, assuming the memorandum of understanding was finished. Voluntary physicals and medical exams were permitted to begin on Friday.
The remaining transition rules, such as when players can go on the ice and for how long, were still being finalized.
"While the players' vote ratifies the new CBA with the NHL owners, a written memorandum of understanding consistent with what the players voted on, must be completed before the agreement becomes final," a union statement said Saturday.
Less than a week after the league and the union worked all night to secure an agreement to save the season, players followed team owners and approved the tentative deal that was reached last Sunday — the 113th day of the lockout.
Unofficial team workouts have been taking place around the league all week. A 48-game season is expected to begin Jan. 19 without any preseason games in advance, assuming there are no more glitches in negotiations.
A total of 510 games, the Winter Classic and the All-Star game were all casualties of the four-month lockout that began Sept. 16. The regular season was supposed to open on Oct. 11.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:07 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:07:01 GMT
New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has sold his Miami Beach home for $30 million. A-Rod's business partner, Jose More, confirmed that the sale closed Friday. Rodriguez bought the 54,000-square-foot
New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has sold his Miami Beach home for $30 million. A-Rod's business partner, Jose More, confirmed that the sale closed Friday. Rodriguez bought the 54,000-square-foot
Friday, May 24 2013 10:45 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:45:27 GMT
NASCAR racing legends and brothers Darrell and Michael Waltrip preview the holiday weekend's Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
NASCAR racing legends and brothers Darrell and Michael Waltrip preview the holiday weekend's Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. The race is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. on FOX 5.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:19:38 GMT
Chris Kreider steered in a pass from Rick Nash 7:03 into overtime, and the New York Rangers stayed alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Chris Kreider steered in a pass from Rick Nash 7:03 into overtime, and the New York Rangers stayed alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:34:35 GMT
The Boston Bruins are on the brink of the Eastern Conference finals, and they got there on the backs of their suddenly offensive defensemen and a potent fourth line of forwards.
The Boston Bruins are on the brink of the Eastern Conference finals, and they got there on the backs of their suddenly offensive defensemen and a potent fourth line of forwards.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:55 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:55:22 GMT
The New York Yankees are going into the soccer business.
The New York Yankees are going into the soccer business. The Yankees are partnering with Manchester City to own Major League Soccer's 20th team, which will be called New York City Football Club and plans to start play in the 2015 season.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:53:31 GMT
Jay Bruce hit a tiebreaking homer and drove in two runs to back Johnny Cueto's wild but effective return from the disabled list, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 4-3 Monday night.
Jay Bruce hit a tiebreaking homer and drove in two runs to back Johnny Cueto's wild but effective return from the disabled list, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 4-3 Monday night.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:36:09 GMT
AP photo
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez started his third week of on-field work by adding defensive drills and hitting in a cage. The 37-year-old, recuperating from left hip surgery on Jan. 16, fielded grounders
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez started his third week of on-field work by adding defensive drills and hitting in a cage. The 37-year-old, recuperating from left hip surgery on Jan. 16, fielded grounders
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:06:52 GMT
Johnny Boychuk broke a tie midway through the second period, and the Boston Bruins scored two goals in the third to beat the New York Rangers 5-2 on Sunday
Johnny Boychuk broke a tie midway through the second period, and the Boston Bruins scored two goals in the third to beat the New York Rangers 5-2 on Sunday
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