June 28, 1999
For Immediate Release
(OTTAWA) — NHL goaltenders may think twice before they go roaming into the corners if the members of the NHLFA (National Hockey League Fans' Association) have their way.
Seventy-two per cent (72%) of respondents to the NHLFA's second Fan Report poll say goalies who leave their crease to play the puck should be treated – and hit – like any other player on the ice. That was the result of just one of 85 questions posed to 7,728 NHLFA members this month.
The NHLFA was started in April 1998 by Jim Boone and Jim Spendlove of Ottawa to try to give fans a voice in the future direction of NHL hockey.
The Fan Report, accessible via the NHLFA Web site (http://www.nhlfa.com/fanreport/), asked members to respond to a wide range of questions and issues related to NHL hockey. It's the second time the Association has polled its members, but this time there were nearly 3,000 responses, compared to about 1,000 when the inaugural poll was issued last November. The purpose of the Fan Report poll is to place the views and opinions of fans before the NHL community, and to influence the game on behalf of fans.
The poll covered subjects ranging from salaries and contracts, to ice quality, ticket prices and officiating – it even asked which team has the worst nickname in the League. Apologies to fans of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who took 42% of the votes for worst name.
It may come as a surprise to some that more than 80% of NHLFA members who participated in the poll think the NHL should hold a World Cup tournament in 2000 and 66% feel the League should be part of the 200270 Olympics.
Following are just a few of the Fan Report highlights:
- 82% of respondents believe players and management should be bound by existing contracts;
- 78% feel that the League should impose some form of team/player salary cap;
- 86% say the NHL has to do something about ice quality around the league;
- 66% believe the two referee system employed for part of the past season has been good for the game;
- 88% feel ticket prices for NHL games are too high (the same percentage as in the first poll);
- 82% feel it is unfair to charge the same price for exhibition games as regular season games while raising ticket prices for the playoffs;
- 55% say Gary Bettman is doing a good job on behalf of the owners, and 54% feel Bob Goodenow (Executive Director, NHLPA) is doing a good job on behalf of the players;
- however, only 20% feel Mr. Bettman is doing a good job on behalf of the fans, and only 21% think Mr. Goodenow is doing a good job in support of the game;
- 62% per cent of respondents want the Penguins to remain in Pittsburgh - and although there was no question in the Fan Report regarding the New York Islanders, numerous e-mails to the NHLFA indicate that Islanders fans are extremely upset at the state of affairs surrounding their franchise and want the Commissioner to do something about it;
- 68% think the recent trend toward a third sweater in the NHL is simply a cash grab by the League and NHLPA.
The full poll results will be provided to the NHL and the NHLPA.
NHLFA founders Boone and Spendlove have seen membership increase by almost 3,000 within the last month (current membership is 8,350) and have set a goal of 75,000 members by January70 2000. To help spread the word, more than 70 NHLFA members have offered to assist their Association by serving as media liaisons, providing NHLFA news and information to media in their communities. Membership in the NHLFA is free.
For more information, please contact:
|
