NHL 12 suits up for September

The Boston Bruins struggled through a hard-fought postseason to become NHL champions this year, taking the Vancouver Canucks to game seven to bring home the Stanley Cup. By comparison, EA Sports will have a veritable empty net when it takes the ice this year, after 2K Sports confirmed last month that it will not be fielding a hockey game in 2011.

Today, EA Sports said that its hockey season will commence with NHL 12 in September. When it arrives for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos will appear as the cover athlete on the game's packaging.

Drafted first overall in 2008, Stamkos was the first player to reach the 40-goal mark during the 2010-2011 season. The 21-year-old star has already accrued a number of honors, including the Maurice Richard Trophy for most goals scored in 2010. This season, Stamkos was honored with the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the league's "most outstanding player."

As for the game, EA Sports has updated this year's version with the all-new Full Contact Physics Engine. The software aims to increase realism in the game, adding in such features as goalie interaction and fights, as well as net battles. EA Sports has also added new events such as the 2011 NHL Winter Classic, which will be played at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, and has revamped the Be a Pro career mode.