Sports

The long wait for NHL hockey looks to be almost over.

Skates and sticks were expected to replace suits and briefcases for a Sunday opening of training camps after players voted massively in favour of a new collective bargaining agreement that would end the nearly four-month old lockout.

However, a union statement said a written memorandum of understanding consistent with what the players voted on must be completed before the CBA becomes final.

The two sides were expected to work into Saturday night to get it done. Camps and other business cannot begin until the deal is completed.

The 36-hour electronic voting process ended Saturday morning, reportedly with 98.2 per cent saying yes to the deal and only 12 players voting against it.

The league's 30 clubs are eager to get started on a seven-day, hurry-up camp to get ready for a 48-game schedule beginning on Jan. 19.

And a string of announcements are expected from teams that have been barred from signing players and making deals since the lockout started on Sept. 15.

The league's 30 clubs ratified the deal on Wednesday.