NHL, EA to back in-store competition

Beginning October 4 at selected GameStop and Electronics Boutique locations, gamers aged 13 and over can compete in the NHL 2004 video game championships. Winners in local and regional competitions will meet to choose the NHL 2004 Global Champion during the NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota, February 6-8, 2004.

Regional US tournaments will take place October 4 at GameStop locations in Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minnesota, St. Louis, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Jose, and New York City, with the national finals to take place in New York City on October 25.

Canadian regional tournaments will take place at select Electronics Boutique locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba on October 4, with the finals occurring in Toronto on October 25. In addition to the US and Canadian retail-based competitions, European competitions are also planned, though no specifics have been announced.

More information about the competition can be found at a special EA Web page.