Montreal is finally getting its long-promised women’s pro hockey franchise

though the Premier Hockey Federation put the brakes on adding a second expansion team entering its eighth season

In unveiling the U.S.-based, privately backed league’s seventh franchise and second in Canada

PHF Commissioner Reagan Carey said it was in the sport’s best interest

to take a slower approach toward growth to ensure long-term stability.

“Sometimes, there’s a little energy and enthusiasm and urgency to add teams. But at the same time

you have to do it in a really thoughtful way and make sure that we’re doing everything at the right time

with the right people moving forward,” Carey told The Associated Press.

“There’s been a lot of evaluating, assessing and a lot conversations in just trying to get a better understanding of what the league needs at the immediate moment