NHLPA extends CBA with NHL through 2011-12

CHICAGO (AP) -- The NHL Players' Association is extending its current collective bargaining agreement with the league through the 2011-12 season.

The decision to stretch the agreement for another season was made during the union's executive board meeting on Tuesday. The CBA was originally set to expire after the upcoming season, but the players' association exercised its right to extend it for a seventh year.

The players also voted to retain the five percent growth factor for next season, which ensures the salary cap will rise for a fifth straight time. As part of the CBA, the players may include five percent of growth in calculations for the following season's cap once revenues exceed $2.1 billion.

The current cap of $56.8 million is expected to rise to about $59 million. The official number will be announced before the free-agent signing period begins on July 1.