Quebec City group patiently awaiting NHL’s decision

Quebec City’s application for an NHL expansion team is being reviewed by the league, alongside an application from Las Vegas.

“Nothing has changed since we announced that groups representing Las Vegas and Quebec had filed applications,” NHL spokesman Gary Meagher said. “There is no timetable for any decisions.”

Sources said, however, that a decision could be made at the league’s board of governors meeting in December.

Ben Robert, president and CEO of Quebecor Media’s sports and entertainment group, the arena developer, said, “We met with [the NHL] and they have to go through their analysis. We remain discreet and patient and continue to demonstrate that we do things the right way.”

Robert’s hockey ties include an 18-month tenure with AEG’s Los Angeles Kings as vice president of business development. Several years ago he helped develop Ralston (Neb.) Arena, which opened in 2012 for the Omaha Lancers, a United States Hockey League team he formerly owned with Mario Lemieux, Luc Robitaille and Mike Eruzione.