NHL COO John Collins departs after 7 years

NEW YORK (AP) John Collins, the chief operating officer of the NHL, is stepping down after seven years on the job.

The NHL said Tuesday that Collins is leaving to pursue a new business opportunity. Collins joined the league in 2006 and had been COO since August 2008.

Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Collins for his work building partnerships that led to ''significant revenue growth'' for the NHL.