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April 19, 2006
For immediate release
(OTTAWA) - Members of the National Hockey League Fans' Association (NHLFA),
some 29,000 hockey fans from across North America, are giving positive
reviews to the first NHL season after a painful lock-out in 2004-05.
In its annual Fan Report poll, the NHLFA asks its members a wide variety of
questions related to NHL hockey. This year fans applauded the new
collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and, more specifically, the salary cap
on NHL players, with 78% of fans saying the CBA is a good thing for the
game.
Most of the recent rule changes have been welcomed. The biggest impact
seems to have come from the removal of the centre red line to permit longer
passes - a move supported by 76% of NHLFA respondents. However, fans are
split almost equally on the new rule that does not allow goaltenders to play
the puck behind the goal line outside a designated puck handling area.
Concerning the quality of television coverage, Canada outpaces the U.S. by a
large margin. Ninety per cent of Canadians feel they receive good or
excellent TV coverage. That sentiment is not echoed south of the border,
where just 30% of American viewers like Outdoor Life Network's hockey
coverage and 50% like NBC's coverage.
Fans seem to be in line with the referees though, as 73% of fans think they
do a good job. Nevertheless, 62% of members who responded are fearful the
strict officiating will slip during the playoffs. In any case, fans still
like the rough stuff with 88% saying they enjoy the fights in hockey.
And almost 80% of those who responded believe that allowing more teams to
make the playoffs is a bad idea, something the NHL is considering for next
season.
The entire poll results can be found at this address
www.nhlfa.com/fanreport/2006
The NHLFA, launched in 1998, provides hockey fans a way to express their
views on NHL hockey and to influence the game for the better. Fans become
members of the NHLFA by registering at www.nhlfa.com. Membership is free.
For more information, please contact:
Jim Boone
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