NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association reached a agreement on a tentative labor agreement Wednesday, bringing the longest work stoppage in the history of U.S. sports to an end.

The lockout by NHL owners cost the league its entire 2004-05 season, the first time an entire season of a major U.S. sport had been lost.

Details of the agreement were not released by the two sides, saying it would not be disclosed pending the formal ratification process by NHLPA members and the NHL Board of Governors.

"It is anticipated that the ratification process will be completed next week, at which time the parties will be prepared to discuss the details of the agreement and plans for next season," said the joint statement. "No further comment will be made until then."

The owners had insisted that the players agree to a salary cap that would limit the total payroll of each team. The National Football League and National Basketball Association already have some form of a cap, although Major League Baseball does not. Just before the league cancelled the 2005 Stanley Cup playoffs, there were indications in comments that the union's negotiators had agreed to the concept of a cap, although the two sides could not agree on details.

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