The NHL announced Thursday that it is partnering with Reebok to open an NHL store in midtown Manhattan next fall.

The NHL store, similar in concept to the NBA’s midtown store, is to occupy 6,700-square feet on 6th Avenue at 47th Street. By contrast, the NBA's store at 5th Avenue and 52nd Street is 35,000 square feet.

The NHL store will be located on the ground floor of a building in which the league intends to move its offices next year.

“We think this will be an incredible branding opportunity,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a conference call with reporters just prior to the start of this season.

“We have wanted to open an NHL store for a long time and now the timing is right,” NHL Executive Vice President Consumer Products Marketing and Retail Operations Brian Jennings said Thursday in a statement. “The store’s location, size and product offering, as well as our partnership with Reebok, all will serve to enhance the NHL brand, promote our players and offer hockey fans a unique multi-sensory shopping experience.”