Phaneuf checks NHL 09 cover

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Jun 9, 2008 4:05 pm PT

Calgary defenseman set to front Electronic Arts' upcoming pucks sim; gamers in Russia and Sweden get native sons Ovechkin and Alfredsson.

The NHL is undergoing an offensive renaissance of sorts, with a bevy of up-and-coming goal scorers like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Alexender Ovechkin lighting the lamp like few others in recent memory. But when it came time to name the cover athlete for this year's edition of its long-running hockey sim, Electronic Arts went with a standout defenseman from the new breed of stars.

Phaneuf looks to bury someone in the boards.

EA today named Calgary Flames blue-liner Dion Phaneuf as the worldwide cover star for NHL 09. The publisher chose the 23-year-old two-time All-Star for the packaging to mirror the new defensive focus of the game within. Where NHL 07 and NHL 08 were noted for their incorporation of the "skill stick" mechanic for puck carriers, EA is introducing defensive skill stick mechanics in NHL 09. This year's game will also include an overhaul to bodychecking.

While Phaneuf will appear on most copies of NHL 09, EA also announced a pair of stars to front the game in their own countries. Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will appear on the cover in Sweden, and NHL 07 coverboy Alexander Ovechkin will reprise that role for NHL 09 in his native Russia.

NHL 09 will be released in September for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PC. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's first preview.

69 Comments

  • Pattymac801

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:19 pm PT

    How about putting a goalie on the cover for once, like Brodeur or Luongo

  • xunhallowed

    Posted Jul 10, 2008 2:02 pm PT

    If you're a hockey fan, and you don't know Dion Phaneuf or what he does, then you're not a hockey fan. Great choice, EA.

  • nhlhero89

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 3:35 pm PT

    phaneuf is amazing so much better than eric staal

  • CarCrazy709

    Posted Jun 17, 2008 2:03 pm PT

    They haven't put a goalie on the cover since '96 with Vanbiesbrouck. How about they show they've actually improved the awful goaltending by putting an all-star netminder like Kiprusoff on the cover?

  • Knight_Revan

    Posted Jun 15, 2008 4:16 am PT

    ovechkin was in 07 dude.. phaneuf is a really good guy....

    dion phaneuf "tatatadada" dion phaneuf "tatatata" hahahaha

  • Lilnicksta1

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 9:34 pm PT

    Ovechkin should be on the cover

  • acebrawler

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:11 am PT

    cmon!!!!! where a wii version?????ive been watein about 2 years and they give me this????

  • juanito-24

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 9:31 pm PT

    i think phaneuf is good as long as crosby isn't on the cover he's gay

  • Goliath_unit

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 6:39 pm PT

    i like them choosing a young d-man on the cover. it makes it something a bit new, and reflects what EA is trying tod do. if they were going for young defencemen, there really is no other choice in the league. if they were just picking defencemen in particular, they couldve put lidstrom on, yet he is not as physically great as phaneuf, or pronger, but he already was on the 2000 boxcover.

  • Ranteal

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 6:03 pm PT

    and in Canada it is *the* sport.
    __________________________

    That says it all right there

  • BuryMe

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 4:42 pm PT

    Damn it, I wish I could get the Sweedish version. I want my team's captain

  • LordReithgar

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    uhm a better d-man? At the tender age Dion Phaneuf is, it's a phenomenon to be in the elite of the league, Not many d-man were this strong as early as him and as dominating in his zone. Jay Boowmeester, Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson aren,t comparing to him yet and they are expected to be the elite later on. They picked Dion Phaneuf to pormote high and upcoming players, because the yrepresent teh future.

    It's why we've seen Eric Staal and Alexander Ovechkin these past few years.

    My main concern is that every players who gets selected on teh cover of NHL, they have a disapointing year. Hopefully Phaneuf won't suffer of this curse hehe.

  • EvilStealth64

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 1:42 pm PT

    glad to see a defenceman on the cover, because that is what I play, but, i think they could of picked a better defenceman though, maybe a detroit player because they won the cup, or maybe even a goalie (brodeur)

  • profballplr

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 11:39 am PT

    Wow people need to shut up about hockey's popularity. Who cares if it is not as popular as other American sports? Watch a game or two, or play nhl08 or the 2k series, and you'd realize that hockey is so awesome that all that crap about TV ratings is irrelevant. Anyways, its popularity in America is regionalized and in Canada it is *the* sport. gg

  • Thatsmypunk

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 10:27 am PT

    Good call on the cover guy. After Ovechkin's stellar season this past year, I think we can say there's no cover curse. Just a bad coincidence.

  • mad_tyger

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 10:09 am PT

    I'm skipping this just because it's a Flames player on the cover. GO SHARKS!!!!!!

  • kos1085

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 9:41 am PT

    I havent played a hockey game since the genesis days.

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 9:29 am PT

    YA BABY!!!!!! go Flames go Flames. I will have you know that Calgary is the main producer of AWESOME and THUNDER BABIES, 400 BABIES!

  • ScottEFresh

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 9:02 am PT

    YAWN!....Don't get me wrong I'm a huge hockey fan but not a huge EA fan. These games have been MEDIOCRE at best lately. Let's hope NHL 09 is actually a good game and not worry about who is on the cover.

NHL 09 Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices: $19 – 21.99

GameStop $19.99 SHOP ›
eBay $21.99 SHOP ›
Glyde $19 SHOP ›
advertisement
Click Here

Related Unions

NHL 09 Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
NHL 09

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    1,898 of 77,426
    (down by 162)
    PS3 Rank:
    229 of 930
    Highest Rank:
    20 in 2008
    Tracking:
    577 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    234 Wish It»
  • Player Reviews:
    41
    Player Ratings:
    859
    Users Now Playing:
    289
  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. nhl
    2. hockey
    3. nhl 09
    4. ea
    5. avalanche
  • Everyone Rating Description

    Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement