Last summer, the AHL announced the implementation of several rule changes designed to increase the flow of the game and generate additional offensive opportunities. These changes came about after extensive consultation with players, coaches, officials and executive throughout hockey, but any feedback would be incomplete without the voice of the fans, who have helped make the league successful for nearly 70 years.
Here are the results of the AHL Fan Survey, conducted on theahl.com in January 2005. The survey asked for some background information from the respondent, then highlighted the rules package in the eight questions below. Special thanks to the 5,571 respondents who made this Fan Survey successful.
1. Are you in favor of the shootout implemented by the AHL this season, designed to eliminate tie games in the regular season?
I like it a lot | 51.0% (2,842) |
It’s OK | 24.8% (1,380) |
I dislike it somewhat | 8.0% (443) |
I dislike it a lot | 15.0% (836) |
I have no opinion | 1.2% (70) |
2. A shootout increases the excitement of the game.
I strongly agree | 50.0% (2,783) |
I somewhat agree | 30.0% (1,674) |
I somewhat disagree | 11.1% (620) |
I strongly disagree | 6.8% (381) |
I have no opinion | 2.0% (113) |
3. Are you in favor of the no-touch icing rule, under which icing is whistled as soon as the puck crosses the goal line?
I like it a lot | 43.2% (2,409) |
It’s OK | 26.6% (1,482) |
I dislike it somewhat | 11.1% (617) |
I dislike it a lot | 16.6% (923) |
I have no opinion | 2.5% (140) |
4. Are you in favor of the tag-up offsides rule, which allows teams to negate an offside situation by vacating the offensive zone?
I like it a lot | 62.8% (3,485) |
It’s OK | 26.0% (1,451) |
I dislike it somewhat | 4.7% (264) |
I dislike it a lot | 1.1% (60) |
I have no opinion | 5.6% (311) |
5. Are you in favor of the widened blue and center red lines, designed to increase playing space in the neutral zone?
I like it a lot | 45.2% (2,519) |
It’s OK | 39.6% (2,204) |
I dislike it somewhat | 4.9% (273) |
I dislike it a lot | 4.2% (234) |
I have no opinion | 6.1% (341) |
6. Are you in favor of the goal line moved two feet closer to the end boards, also designed to increase playing space in the neutral zone?
I like it a lot | 34.1% (1,898) |
It’s OK | 43.0% (2,397) |
I dislike it somewhat | 9.6% (535) |
I dislike it a lot | 6.8% (379) |
I have no opinion | 6.5% (362) |
7. Are you in favor of the restricted puck-playing area for goaltenders behind the net, designed to add more flow and offensive opportunities?
I like it a lot | 25.3% (1,411) |
It’s OK | 28.4% (1,583) |
I dislike it somewhat | 17.9% (999) |
I dislike it a lot | 24.4% (1,357) |
I have no opinion | 4.0% (221) |
8. Overall, how do you think the new rules package has affected play in the American Hockey League this season?
The game has improved a lot | 33.0% (1,836) |
The game has improved a little | 47.5% (2,644) |
No difference | 9.9% (553) |
The game has gotten a little worse | 4.5% (251) |
The game has gotten a lot worse | 1.3% (74) |
I have no opinion | 3.8% (213) |