The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
As the National Hockey League ratifies its new collective bargaining agreement, a recent research study finds that the lockout cost the sport nearly two million fans in Canada. In a survey conducted by Solutions Research Group among 1,776 Canadians in May/June 2005, 55% of Canadian sports fans aged 12 or older identified hockey as one of their favourite sports, down 13 points from 68% in a survey conducted in 2003. "By being out of sight, hockey has been out of mind Ñ but, more than that, a lot of fans got very angry with the NHL," said Jeff Vidler, partner with Solutions Research Group. "It's time to kiss and make up with the fans, and the league is making the first move with the rule changes and the new draft system. But the changes will have to deliver a more entertaining and responsive product."
