NHL 2K9 covered by Columbus star

Fans of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets usually don't have much to be happy about this time of year. Each May, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing, but since entering the league in 2000, the team has yet to reach the postseason.

2K Sports is giving true Blue fans something to cheer, given that the publisher announced that Columbus captain and three-time All-Star Rick Nash will adorn the cover of NHL 2K9. The 23-year-old left-winger is an avowed gamer, and has been consulting with the game's developers to make "the most fun hockey experience available."

When it comes to critical reception, 2K Sports' series of hockey games typically runs neck-and-neck with Electronic Arts' own pucks franchise, but the series stumbled last year compared to its counterpart. To address that shortcoming, 2K Sports developer Visual Concepts is building NHL 2K9 from the ground up, and promising "to bring the fun and excitement back to hockey video games."

NHL 2K9 is set for a fall release on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2.