It’s game on for a new, yet-to-be named women’s pro hockey league to launch in January after union members cleared the final major hurdle by unanimously ratifying a collective bargaining agreement and a constitution, a person with direct knowledge of the vote told The Associated Press.

Czech Republic coach Carla MacLeod says the solution to closing the gap in competition in women's hockey between the rest of the world and the United States and Canada comes with forming a centralized league where the top players can call home.

The Premier Hockey Federation is more than doubling each of its six teams’ salary caps to $750,000 and adding two expansion franchises next season in a bid to capitalize on the wave of attention women’s hockey traditionally enjoys following the Winter Olympics.

The National Women’s Hockey League is changing its name to the Premier Hockey Federation.