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Member Updates – News Release 02/21/99
NHLFA Tops 5,000 Member Mark
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February 21, 1999
For immediate release
(OTTAWA) The National Hockey League Fans' Association (NHLFA.com)
released the results of its first-ever mini-poll this week, along with
registering its 5,000th member less than 10 months after the Association
was founded.
The NHLFA's Web site (http://www.nhlfa.com) was launched April 20, 1998
with the goal of giving NHL fans across North America and worldwide a
way to express their views on the NHL game and to influence it for the
better.
This first mini-poll gave NHLFA members the opportunity to cast their
vote as to how ties should be decided during the NHL regular season.
Following are results from the 2,043 NHLFA members (41.69% of members)
who responded to the mini-poll.
- (29%) Do Nothing. Ties are a part of the game. Leave things as they are.
- (29%) Both teams should be awarded 1 point for a tie at the end of regulation; the winner in the five-minute OT to get an additional point.
- (16%) Both teams awarded 1 point at end of regulation followed by a shoutout with an additional point going to the winner.
- (9%) Play OT until there is a winner.
- (9%) Make regular season wins worth 3 points; ties worth 1 point.
- (3%) Make regular season wins worth 2 points; ties worth 0 points.
- (5%) Start overtime with five on five skaters; after a few minutes of play reduce the number to four on four; then three on three; etc.
NHLFA co-founders Jim Boone and Jim Spendlove of Ottawa said that while
the results of this mini-poll are not conclusive, they may indicate that
the NHL should be wary of too much tinkering with the game.
The Jims said that reaching 5,000 members in under a year bodes well for
the future of the Association, and they still hope to achieve their goal
of 10,000 members by the Association's first anniversary.
There is no charge for NHLFA membership. All that is required is
Internet access and completion of a member-registration form available
on the Web site (http://www.nhlfa.com/registration.asp).
The high points in the Association's short existence include release of
its first-ever NHLFA Fan Report poll in November, and meeting with NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman over the All-Star break in Tampa. At that
time, Mr. Bettman invited the Jims to meet with him again in New York
when there would be more time to discuss the Association's objectives
and its inaugural Fan Report results.
The Fan Report (http://www.nhlfa.com/fanreport/), a
questionnaire made available via the NHLFA Web site, asked NHLFA members
to respond to some 80 questions on a variety of issues related to NHL
hockey.
While in Tampa, the NHLFA also received a commitment from NHLPA
President Bob Goodenow to a meeting with the Players' Association.
The NHLFA will be issuing its second full Fan Report poll around playoff
time.
For further information, please contact:
Jim Boone
boone@nhlfa.com
or
Jim Spendlove
spendlove@nhlfa.com
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