advertisement

Thornton, Ovechkin score NHL game covers

By Tim Surette, GameSpotPosted Jun 22, 2006 11:10 am PT

Face-off of hockey cover athletes announced today; 2K Sports goes with all-star Sharks center, EA selects young Capitals sensation.

NHL 07

More Images (4) »
Screenshot Index »

With a few major sports having wrapped up their seasons this week (the Carolina Hurricanes took home the Stanley Cup and the Miami Heat won their first NBA championship), the leagues' foci are now on the upcoming drafts. Selecting the right player is key to each franchise's future, and choosing from the available talent is a long, arduous process.

The same goes for gaming publishers at this time of year, as they announce the cover athletes for their respective sports simulations. Yesterday, Electronic Arts revealed that Houston Rockets all-star Tracy McGrady would front NBA Live 07. But today was hockey day, as both EA and 2K Sports announced the NHL pros that would appear on the cover of their upcoming games.

EA's NHL 07 will see Washington Capitals left-winger Alexander Ovechkin grab his first game cover after just his first year on the NHL ice. The number one pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft, the young Russian wasted no time making his mark, finishing third in the league in points scored and goals scored. He's also a bit of a gunslinger, leading the NHL in shots taken with 425 attempts. At the young age of 20, Ovechkin has already won the Valery Kharlamov Trophy for the NHL's best Russian player.

NHL 07 is being developed by EA Canada in Vancouver and EA Montreal, and has been announced for release on the PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, and the Xbox. EA has not yet announced a release date for the game.

Facing off against EA and Ovechkin is 2K Sports and veteran all-star center Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks, who was announced as the face and spokesperson for NHL 2K7. Thornton was the league leader in overall points, using his keen passing sense to dish out the most assists. Thornton, who was traded from Boston to San Jose in the beginning of the season, helped the Sharks turn around their luck and make a run for the Stanley Cup. Thornton is also one of the front-runners for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the league's most valuable player.

NHL 2K7 will be released this fall on the PS2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, and the Xbox 360.

49 Comments

  • wowFoX

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 2:52 am PT

    Will be NHL 07 (EA sports) on the playstation 3 ??? PLEASE ANSWER ME Thank you

  • boo_dat

    Posted Aug 2, 2006 11:59 pm PT

    I believe he said a CANADIENS' player...not a Canadian player. Canadiens meaning the Montreal Canadiens.

  • snydes09

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 6:21 pm PT

    crosby...

  • Mitch_Dyer

    Posted Jul 4, 2006 9:11 am PT

    Are you kidding me?

    He said the Canadiens... THE TEAM

    THE HABS.

  • Kicken

    Posted Jun 28, 2006 10:38 am PT

    oh and the guy right below me? like to see a canadian player on the cover *someday* .... ah lacavalier on NHL 06, LAST years game

  • Kicken

    Posted Jun 28, 2006 10:36 am PT

    hmmm ovechkin on the cover, I souldnt be surprised, but I rather see a weathered veteran, thats shown consistency like Thornton, in 03-04 was in the top 10 in points, and this year lead the league, so hes a better pick, and someone also said they cant wait until crosby breaks the 215 points?? he wont be the only one, this is the *new* NHL, they should have all new stats (but it aint happening) I mean common, 2 rookies with 100+ points?? maybe the points record will be shattered, but 50 in 39 games, or the 51 game point streak? never happening.. even though I love the EA hockey games, I find 2k always picks a better player for their covers

  • HillyBilly

    Posted Jun 28, 2006 12:36 am PT

    Not on Gamecube? Dammit!

  • bananemartienne

    Posted Jun 25, 2006 11:59 am PT

    Great choice for a great player. Still I would like to see a Canadiens player someday...

  • jpgrant91

    Posted Jun 24, 2006 10:11 pm PT

    Ovetchkin will develop into the greatest player in NHL history. Sorry for all you Gretzky fans but Ovetchkins got the sheer size and raw power that the great one didn't have, along with finesse and speed that mesmorises us hockey fans.
    The Bruins went from being first in my heart to my most hated organisation in all of sports... yes... even more than the Yankees.
    July 14th, new GM in town. but wait.... isnt that after the draft? and 14 days into the free agent signing period? It's ganna be a painful year...

  • jgon_9

    Posted Jun 24, 2006 5:28 am PT

    Great pic for EA, Ovechkin was awesome this year. Way better than Crosby.

  • Spencer28

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 4:33 pm PT

    Crosby...He was supposed to be the greatest player in the NHL since "The Great One" but I seem to remember a certain Caralina star named Eric Staal leading...

  • bgres077

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 11:13 am PT

    Ovcheckin is a stud

  • Lionheart322

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 8:39 am PT

    Ovechkin>Crosby. Give Ovechkin 2 more years and he'll be the best player in the NHL..Yupp, take that home, chew it, it's delicious.

    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3957094422427700341

  • scythe0925

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 8:18 am PT

    They need Bigger stars. Granted, to an accuall hockey fan, these were great players last year. But to the avg person (which in america is NOT a hockey fan) they wont have a clue who these guys are.

  • OFPguy

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 8:10 am PT

    Was Jaromir Jagr ever on the cover of a hockey game?

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 6:54 am PT

    hockey........no thx.

  • clou45

    Posted Jun 23, 2006 12:23 am PT

    Crosby will be the cover man for 08... they just wanted to put him after he breaks the 215 points record.... malkin signed yesterday those 2 will burn the ice!!!

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 7:55 pm PT

    Ovechkin is on my home team. WWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

  • DeViLzzz

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 7:33 pm PT

    There are numerous others they could have chosen other than Thornton ..... and yeah he gets his points but there are players who are winners and have more experience and should get on a cover. Heck taking past NHL'ers isn't a bad thing ..... why can't they put Mario or Gretz on the cover and have them as bonus players in the free agent section or you can unlock them somehow.

    Ovechkin is an awesome pick ......

  • lesleeee

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 7:06 pm PT

    Ovechkin's a good pick. Good to see that they didn't just cash in on the Crosby hype. One year and I'm already so tired of that kid.
    I've never really liked Thornton, but he's a great playmaker and deserves the Hart this year.
    Spezza's a nice one...Staal, too. Phaneuf. Stajan...? (hey, I can dream)

    Go Leafs!

NHL 07 Quick Links

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

advertisement
advertisement
Click Here
NHL 07 Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
NHL 07

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    4,118 of 79,200
    (down by 128)
    PSP Rank:
    300 of 1,347
    Tracking:
    279 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    100 Wish It»
  • Player Reviews:
    32
    Player Ratings:
    324
    Users Now Playing:
    70
  • Number of Players:

    1-4, 4 Online | Offline Modes: Competitive | Online Modes: Competitive

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. hockey
    2. nhl 07
    3. nhl
    4. ea sports
    5. psp
  • Everyone 10+ Rating Description

    Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. 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
Click Here