NHL expansion team officially unveiled as 'Vegas Golden Knights'

The NHL's 31st franchise has its identity.

With league commissioner Gary Bettman on hand to provide his endorsement, (and after an unplanned delay), Bill Foley, George McPhee, and the executive team assembled in Las Vegas revealed Tuesday night that the NHL's incoming expansion franchise has been named the "Vegas Golden Knights."

"Our logo and our name is really going to exhibit the highest element of the warrior class - the knight," Foley announced in a press release. "The knight protects the unprotected. The knight defends the realm. The knight never gives up, never gives in, always advances, never retreats, and that's what our team is going to be."

The franchise revealed its official colors - steel grey, gold, black, and red - and secondary logo designed from a collection of swords to create the star from the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign.

Merchandise is available now, but we won't have to wait long for these threads to be on the backs of the expansion Golden Knights. Las Vegas' first big-four professional sports franchise will be officially instated for the 2016-17 season.