Ontario, BC, Canada

A survey revealed that 61% of the adult Canadians haven't attended an NHL game since 2007 because of the high costs.

It found that about 70% of Canadians making less than $40,000 a year haven't attended a single NHL game in the past five years. About 48% of those with incomes of at least $80,000 said they haven't been to a game since 2007.

Alberta is the only part of Canada where a majority of respondents have attended an NHL game within the past five years.

There were with 12% attending "often," about 20% attending "occasionally," and another 20% attending "rarely."

Only 48% said they've "never" watched a game from the stands since 2007.

"Keep in mind the geographic diversity of the country might make it difficult for some to attend," said Jack Jedwab, executive director of the Association for Canadian Studies. "In Alberta, attendance is better where they have two teams and a wealthier population."

Only about 54% of survey respondents from Manitoba said they haven't attended an NHL game in the past five years.

About 11% of the residents of B.C. — home to the Vancouver Canucks — said they attend NHL games often, but 59% of the province's respondents said they haven't been to a game once in the past five years.

In Ontario, where the Toronto Maple Leafs are based, about 7% of respondents said they attend NHL games often while 62% said they haven't watched a game in person since 2007.

Only about 3% of Quebec residents said they attend NHL games often and 61% said they haven't been to a game in the past five years.

The survey was conducted by polling firm Leger Marketing and commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies.

It tapped the views of 2,200 Canadians between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9.

 

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