NEW YORK — The NHL lockout that canceled last season came to an end yesterday when the owners of the league's 30 teams unanimously approved a labor deal that clears the way for play to resume in the fall.

"Today our board of governors gave its unanimous approval to a collective-bargaining agreement that signals a new era for our league," commissioner Gary Bettman said at a news conference. "An era of economic stability for our franchises, an era of heightened competitive balance for our players, an era of unparalleled excitement and entertainment for our fans."

It also begins the era of the salary cap — the very thing the union vowed not to accept when the 310-day lockout began. But a majority of players supported the six-year agreement in balloting Thursday, with 464 of 532 (87 percent) voting in favor.

Those athletes will be playing under vastly different rules.

"Let's drop the puck on a fresh start and a wonderful future for the National Hockey League," Bettman said.

No payroll will exceed $39 million or go under $21.5 million next season — including salaries, signing bonuses and performance bonuses. Under the new deal, players are guaranteed to receive at least 54 percent of league-wide revenues — projected to be between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion next season.

As for the rules, a shootout will ensure that every regular-season game will have a winner.

Goalies will have to stop those shots — and all others — with smaller pads, which will be shrunk by about 11 percent. The width of the leg pads will be reduced to 11 inches and the glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey will also be smaller.

Not only is their equipment shrinking, so is the area in which goalies can go to play the puck. Goaltenders can only go behind the goal line in a trapezoid-shaped area.

The neutral-zone edges of the blue lines will be 64 feet from the attacking goal and 75 feet from the end boards in the offensive zone. That adds 4 feet in each zone, with the thought it will increase scoring — especially during power plays.

Although no-touch icing wasn't added, players who make long, home-run type passes that miss their target will not be whistled for icing.

Approval of the new agreement by the league's board governors brings labor peace at last to the league, which has already lost one season.

Talk can shift from debates over money, salary caps and escrow to a discussion of how good Sidney Crosby will make his new team next season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins won a 30-team draft lottery yesterday, and will have the chance to select Crosby.

Still widely unknown in the United States, Crosby is a 17-year-old Canadian juniors phenom who will likely be the first player taken in a makeshift NHL draft next Saturday in Ottawa.

Wayne Gretzky has said that Crosby is the best player he has seen since Mario Lemieux.

Now Crosby will play alongside Super Mario.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity to play with [Lemieux]," Crosby said. "I trained with him last summer. He is a very nice guy and great role model, and to play with him will be special. I would love that opportunity."

Penguins president Ken Sawyer said, "I'm overjoyed. I can't tell you how excited I am for us, the whole city. It's unbelievable."

In an unprecedented lottery, every team had a shot to land Crosby when a pingpong-ball selection was held in New York. The Penguins — who had the maximum three balls in the hopper — beat Anaheim for the top pick.

"The NHL is back up again, and it's time to move forward," Crosby said.

Of Lemieux, who turns 40 Oct. 5, Ottawa general manager John Muckler said, "Mario just became 30 today."

A frenzy of free-agent player activity might start today.

Some teams have only a handful of players under contract, and many big-name stars will soon go free.

Beginning today, teams will be able to buy out players to make their payrolls more salary-cap friendly.

Opening night is Oct. 5, with all 30 teams scheduled to play.