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{{short description|Ice hockey video game series}}
{{short description|Ice hockey video game series}}
{{for|the NHL 2K series|NHL 2K}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}{{for|the NHL 2K series|NHL 2K}}
{{Infobox video game series
{{Infobox video game series
| title = NHL
| title = NHL
| image = Easports nhl logo.png
| image = [[File:Easports nhl logo.png|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| image_size = 200
| image_size = 200
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Sega CD]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Game Boy]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], [[Game Gear]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X/S]]
| caption =
| developer = {{collapsible list|title=[[EA Vancouver]] |'''Previous developers:'''<br />[[Budcat Creations]], [[EA Montreal]], High Score Productions, [[Park Place Productions]], [[Tiertex Design Studios]], [[Visual Concepts]], [[HB Studios]]}}
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Sega CD]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Game Boy]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], [[Game Gear]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X]]
| developer = {{collapsible list|title=[[EA Vancouver]] |'''Previous developers:'''<br />[[Budcat Creations]], [[EA Montreal]], [[High Score Productions]], [[Park Place Productions]], [[Tiertex Design Studios]], [[Visual Concepts]], [[HB Studios]]}}
| publisher = [[EA Sports]]
| publisher = [[EA Sports]]
| genre = [[Sports game|Sports]] ([[ice hockey]])
| genre = [[Sports game|Sports]] ([[ice hockey]])
| first release version = ''[[NHL Hockey]]''
| first release version = ''[[NHL Hockey]]''
| first release date = 1991
| first release date = 1991
| latest release version = ''[[NHL 23]]''
| latest release version = ''[[NHL 25]]''
| latest release date = October 14, 2022
| latest release date = October 4, 2024
}}
}}


'''''NHL''''' (colloquially referred to as '''Chel'''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-05|title=Hockey Player Lingo: The Ultimate Dictionary|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/how-to-talk-like-a-hockey-player/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=The Hockey Writers|language=en-US}}</ref>) is a series of professional [[ice hockey]] simulation [[video game]]s developed by [[EA Vancouver]] and published yearly by [[Electronic Arts]] under the [[EA Sports]] brand. The game is developed under license from the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL), which enables the use of the league's team names, stadiums and colors in the game, and the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] (NHLPA), which enables the use of the League's player names and likenesses.
'''''NHL''''' (colloquially referred to as '''Chel'''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-05|title=Hockey Player Lingo: The Ultimate Dictionary|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/how-to-talk-like-a-hockey-player/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=The Hockey Writers|language=en-US}}</ref>) is a series of professional [[ice hockey]] simulation [[video game]]s developed by [[EA Vancouver]] and published yearly by [[Electronic Arts]] under the [[EA Sports]] brand. The game is developed under license from the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL), which enables the use of the league's team names, arenas and colors in the game, and the [[National Hockey League Players' Association]] (NHLPA), which enables the use of the league's player names and likenesses.


== Installments ==
== Installments ==
In [[NHL Hockey]] from 1991, the game modes were season and playoff, and due to the license, the game was called ''EA Hockey'' in [[Europe]] and featured 22 national teams instead. [[NHLPA Hockey '93]] was without the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] license, so instead of NHL team names and logos, there were only [[City|cities]]. [[NHL '94]] has already been officially licensed by the NHL. In [[NHL 95]] were added game modes exhibition, training, shootout and the possibility to change individual players in teams. [[NHL 96]] was in [[3D computer graphics|3D]] with [[2D computer graphics|2D]] player textures, fights are back (most recently in the first two games). [[NHL 97]] was the first full 3D installment, the national teams of [[Canada]], [[United States|USA]] and [[Russia]] have been added, the other two teams contain a compilation of the best European players. In [[NHL&nbsp;98]], 18 national teams were already included. In NHL 99, the career mode was added and in NHL 2000, the tournament mode.
In [[NHL Hockey]] from 1991, the game modes were season and playoff, and due to the license, the game was called ''EA Hockey'' in [[Europe]] and featured 22 national teams instead. [[NHLPA Hockey '93]] was without the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] license, so instead of NHL team names and logos, there were only [[City|cities]]. In [[NHL 95]] were added game modes exhibition, training, shootout and the possibility to change individual players in teams. On PC, [[NHL 96]] was in [[3D computer graphics|3D]] with [[2D computer graphics|2D]] player textures, fights are back (most recently in the first two games). [[NHL 97]] was the first full 3D installment, the national teams of [[Canada]], [[United States|USA]] and [[Russia]] have been added, the other two teams contain a compilation of the best European players. In [[NHL&nbsp;98]], 18 national teams were already included. In NHL 99, the career mode was added and in NHL 2000, the tournament mode.


{{GamePlatformKey|col=3|tot=21|DOS|GB|GBA|GBC|GCN|GG|N64|PS1|PS2|PS3|PS4|PS5|PSP|Sat|SCD|SMD|SNES|Wii|Win|Xbox|X360|XBO|XSX}}
{{GamePlatformKey|col=3|tot=21|DOS|GB|GBA|GBC|GCN|GG|N64|PS1|PS2|PS3|PS4|PS5|PSP|Sat|SCD|SMD|SNES|Wii|Win|Xbox|X360|XBO|XSX/S}}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Title
! Title532525611
! Year
! Year
! Platforms
! Platforms
! Cover athletes, worldwide
! Standard edition cover athletes, worldwide
! Cover athletes, specific regions
! Cover athletes, specific regions and editions
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL Hockey]]'' || 1991 || [[Mega Drive|SMD]]
| ''[[NHL Hockey]]'' || 1991 || [[Mega Drive|SMD]]
Line 61: Line 60:
| [[Owen Nolan]] <small>([[San Jose Sharks|San Jose]])</small><ref name="oldcovers"/>
| [[Owen Nolan]] <small>([[San Jose Sharks|San Jose]])</small><ref name="oldcovers"/>
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|EU|EU}} [[Jere Lehtinen]] <small>([[Dallas Stars|Dallas]])</small><ref name="curse"/>|{{Ref|CZE|CZE}} [[Martin Ručinský|Martin Rucinsky]] <small>([[Montreal Canadiens|Montreal]])</small>}}
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|EU|EU}} [[Jere Lehtinen]] <small>([[Dallas Stars|Dallas]])</small><ref name="curse"/>|{{Ref|CZE|CZE}} [[Martin Ručinský|Martin Rucinsky]] <small>([[Montreal Canadiens|Montreal]])</small>}}
|-
|''[[NHL 2001#Elitserien and SM-Liiga expansion pack|Elitserien 2001]]''
| 2001
| Win
| [[Henrik Zetterberg]] <small>([[Timrå IK]])</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=Elitserien 2001 front cover|url=https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/572890-elitserien-2001-windows-front-cover.jpg}}</ref>
| {{Ref|FIN|FIN}} ''[[NHL 2001#Elitserien and SM-Liiga expansion pack|SM-Liiga 2001]]'' [[Raimo Helminen]] <small>([[Ilves]])</small><ref>{{Cite web|title=SM-Liiga 2001 front cover|url=https://kuvat.huuto.net/v1/83ed/e8097a09ae98e6e761fa1d98cf9/474913194-m.jpg}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 2002]]'' || 2001 || [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]], PS2, Win, [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| ''[[NHL 2002]]'' || 2001 || [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]], PS2, Win, [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
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| ''[[NHL 10]]'' || 2009 || PS3, X360
| ''[[NHL 10]]'' || 2009 || PS3, X360
| [[Patrick Kane]] <small>([[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]])</small><ref name="oldcovers"/><ref name="10cover">{{cite web|author=Samit Sarkar|title=Watch the NHL 10 international cover athletes do their thing |url=http://www.destructoid.com/watch-the-nhl-10-international-cover-athletes-do-their-thing-139683.phtml|work=[[Destructoid]]|date=2009-07-13|accessdate=2010-06-14}}</ref>
| [[Patrick Kane]] <small>([[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]])</small><ref name="oldcovers"/><ref name="10cover">{{cite web|author=Samit Sarkar|title=Watch the NHL 10 international cover athletes do their thing |url=http://www.destructoid.com/watch-the-nhl-10-international-cover-athletes-do-their-thing-139683.phtml|work=[[Destructoid]]|date=2009-07-13|accessdate=2010-06-14}}</ref>
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|DEN|DEN}} [[Mikkel Bødker|Mikkel Boedker]] <small>([[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Mikko Koivu]] <small>([[Minnesota Wild|Minnesota]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Mark Streit]] <small>([[New York Islanders]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Nicklas Bäckström|Nicklas Backstrom]] <small>([[Washington Capitals|Washington]])</small><ref name="swedencovers"/><ref name="10cover"/>}}
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|DEN|DEN}} [[Mikkel Bødker|Mikkel Boedker]] <small>([[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Mikko Koivu]] <small>([[Minnesota Wild|Minnesota]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Mark Streit]] <small>([[New York Islanders]])</small><ref name="10cover"/>|{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Nicklas Bäckström|Nicklas Backstrom]] <small>([[Washington Capitals|Washington]])</small><ref name="swedencovers"/><ref name="10cover"/>}}In Switzerland, special slip covers were made featuring a player from each team in the Swiss [[National_League_(ice_hockey)|National League]]. These were sold through each team's online storefront and limited to 400 copies per team.
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 11]]'' || 2010 || PS3, X360
| ''[[NHL 11]]'' || 2010 || PS3, X360
| [[Jonathan Toews]] <small>([[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]])</small><ref name="11cover">[[EA Sports]]. [http://www.ea.com/news/jonathan-toews-the-new-face-of-ea-sports-nhl-11 Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews the New Face of EA SPORTS NHL 11] [press release]. 21 June 2010 [cited 21 June 2010].</ref>
| [[Jonathan Toews]] <small>([[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago]])</small><ref name="11cover">[[EA Sports]]. [http://www.ea.com/news/jonathan-toews-the-new-face-of-ea-sports-nhl-11 Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews the New Face of EA SPORTS NHL 11] [press release]. 21 June 2010 [cited 21 June 2010].</ref>
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Daniel Sedin|Daniel]] and [[Henrik Sedin]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small><ref name="11cover Sweden">{{cite web |author=Jonas Elfving |website=Game reactor |language=sv|title=Sedin-bröderna på NHL 11-omslag |trans-title=Needs translation |url=http://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/23147/Sedin-br%F6derna+p%E5+NHL+11-omslag/ |date=2010-06-23 |accessdate=2010-06-23 }}</ref>|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Mark Streit]] <small>(NY Islanders)</small><ref name="11cover Swiss">[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/the-swiss-and-the-swedes-get-their-own-nhl-11/ The Swiss And The Swedes Get Their Own NHL 11]. 24 June 2010 [cited 24 June 2010].</ref>}}
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Daniel Sedin|Daniel]] and [[Henrik Sedin]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small><ref name="11cover Sweden">{{cite web |author=Jonas Elfving |website=Game reactor |language=sv|title=Sedin-bröderna på NHL 11-omslag |trans-title=Needs translation |url=http://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/23147/Sedin-br%F6derna+p%E5+NHL+11-omslag/ |date=2010-06-23 |accessdate=2010-06-23 }}</ref>|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Mark Streit]] <small>(NY Islanders)</small><ref name="11cover Swiss">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100628041040/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/the-swiss-and-the-swedes-get-their-own-nhl-11/ The Swiss And The Swedes Get Their Own NHL 11]. 24 June 2010 [cited 24 June 2010].</ref>}}
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL Slapshot]]'' || 2010 || [[Wii]]
| ''[[NHL Slapshot]]'' || 2010 || [[Wii]]
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| ''[[NHL 13]]'' || 2012 || PS3, X360
| ''[[NHL 13]]'' || 2012 || PS3, X360
| [[Claude Giroux]] <small>([[Philadelphia Flyers|Philadelphia]])</small>
| [[Claude Giroux]] <small>([[Philadelphia Flyers|Philadelphia]])</small>
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Roman Josi]] <small>([[Nashville Predators|Nashville]])</small>|In Ottawa, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[Mika Zibanejad]] <small>([[Ottawa Senators|Ottawa]])</small>.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}|In Quebec, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[P. K. Subban]] <small>([[Montreal Canadiens|Montreal]])</small>.<ref name="curse"/>|In Vancouver, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[Henrik Sedin]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small>.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henrik Sedin at NHL 13 Midnight Launch [Pictures] |url=https://604now.com/henrik-sedin-at-nhl-13-midnight-launch-pictures/ |date=September 12, 2012 |work= 604 Now |access-date=May 21, 2018}}</ref>|In Finland, a special edition was made, featuring [[Jari Kurri]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pelaajalehti.com/uutiset/uudesta-anarista-jari-kurrin-arvoinen-erikoisversio | title=Uudesta änäristä Jari Kurrin arvoinen erikoisversio | date=13 July 2012 | publisher=Pelaaja | access-date=April 9, 2018 |language=fi}}</ref>}}
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Roman Josi]] <small>([[Nashville Predators|Nashville]])</small>|In Ottawa, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[Mika Zibanejad]] <small>([[Ottawa Senators|Ottawa]])</small>.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}|In Quebec, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[P. K. Subban]] <small>([[Montreal Canadiens|Montreal]])</small>.<ref name="curse"/>|In Vancouver, Canada, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[Henrik Sedin]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small>.<ref>{{cite web |title=Henrik Sedin at NHL 13 Midnight Launch [Pictures] |url=https://604now.com/henrik-sedin-at-nhl-13-midnight-launch-pictures/ |date=September 12, 2012 |work= 604 Now |access-date=May 21, 2018}}</ref>|In Finland, a special edition was made, featuring [[Jari Kurri]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pelaajalehti.com/uutiset/uudesta-anarista-jari-kurrin-arvoinen-erikoisversio | title=Uudesta änäristä Jari Kurrin arvoinen erikoisversio | date=13 July 2012 | publisher=Pelaaja | access-date=April 9, 2018 | language=fi | archive-date=March 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091337/https://www.pelaajalehti.com/uutiset/uudesta-anarista-jari-kurrin-arvoinen-erikoisversio | url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 14]]'' || 2013 || PS3, X360
| ''[[NHL 14]]'' || 2013 || PS3, X360
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| ''[[NHL 15]]'' || 2014 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One|XBO]], PS3, X360
| ''[[NHL 15]]'' || 2014 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One|XBO]], PS3, X360
| [[Patrice Bergeron]] <small>([[Boston Bruins|Boston]])</small>
| [[Patrice Bergeron]] <small>([[Boston Bruins|Boston]])</small>
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Nino Niederreiter]] <small>([[Minnesota Wild|Minnesota]])</small><ref name="14cover Swiss">[http://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/hockey/story/18722435 «El Nino» est prêt à faire chauffer les glaces de NHL]. 22 July 2014 [cited 23 July 2014].</ref>|In Toronto, at a surprise autograph signing in a downtown [[Tim Hortons]], a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[James van Riemsdyk]] <small>([[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]])</small>.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}|In Sweden, special edition alternative covers were made, showing [[Niclas Andersén|Niclas Andersen]] <small>([[Brynäs IF]])</small>, [[Mattias Tedenby]] <small>([[HV71]])</small>, [[Samuel Påhlsson]] <small>([[Modo Hockey|MODO]])</small>, [[Mikael Tellqvist]] <small>([[Djurgårdens IF Hockey|Djurgårdens IF]])</small>, [[Jens Bergenström]] <small>([[Leksands IF]])</small>, [[Erik Forssell]] <small>([[Skellefteå AIK|Skellefteå]])</small>, [[Robin Figren]] <small>([[Frölunda HC]])</small>, [[Chad Kolarik]] <small>([[Linköpings HC]])</small>, [[Tomi Kallio]] <small>([[Växjö Lakers|Växjö]])</small>, [[Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel]] <small>([[Färjestad BK]])</small>, [[Per Ledin]] <small>([[Luleå HF]])</small>, and [[Jared Aulin]] <small>([[Örebro HK]])</small>.<ref>[http://www.shl.se/artikel/58323/ Spelarna som pryder specialomslagen av EA SPORTS NHL 15] (Swedish)</ref>|In Finland, special editions were made for each [[Liiga]] team.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://liiga.fi/uutiset/2014/08/22/ea-julkaisee-nhl15-pelista-liiga-edition-kerailyversion | title=EA julkaisee NHL15 –pelistä Liiga Edition -keräilyversion | publisher=Liiga | access-date=April 9, 2018 |language=fi}}</ref>}}
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Nino Niederreiter]] <small>([[Minnesota Wild|Minnesota]])</small><ref name="14cover Swiss">[http://www.20min.ch/ro/sports/hockey/story/18722435 «El Nino» est prêt à faire chauffer les glaces de NHL]. 22 July 2014 [cited 23 July 2014].</ref>|In Toronto, at a surprise autograph signing in a downtown [[Tim Hortons]], a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[James van Riemsdyk]] <small>([[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]])</small>.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}|In Edmonton, a special edition alternative cover was made, showing [[Justin Schultz]] <small>([[Edmonton Oilers|Edmonton]])</small>.|In Sweden, special edition alternative covers were made, showing [[Niclas Andersén|Niclas Andersen]] <small>([[Brynäs IF]])</small>, [[Mattias Tedenby]] <small>([[HV71]])</small>, [[Samuel Påhlsson]] <small>([[Modo Hockey|MODO]])</small>, [[Mikael Tellqvist]] <small>([[Djurgårdens IF Hockey|Djurgårdens IF]])</small>, [[Jens Bergenström]] <small>([[Leksands IF]])</small>, [[Erik Forssell]] <small>([[Skellefteå AIK|Skellefteå]])</small>, [[Robin Figren]] <small>([[Frölunda HC]])</small>, [[Chad Kolarik]] <small>([[Linköpings HC]])</small>, [[Tomi Kallio]] <small>([[Växjö Lakers|Växjö]])</small>, [[Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel]] <small>([[Färjestad BK]])</small>, [[Per Ledin]] <small>([[Luleå HF]])</small>, and [[Jared Aulin]] <small>([[Örebro HK]])</small>.<ref>[http://www.shl.se/artikel/58323/ Spelarna som pryder specialomslagen av EA SPORTS NHL 15] (Swedish)</ref>|In Finland, special editions were made for each [[Liiga]] team.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://liiga.fi/uutiset/2014/08/22/ea-julkaisee-nhl15-pelista-liiga-edition-kerailyversion | title=EA julkaisee NHL15 –pelistä Liiga Edition -keräilyversion | publisher=Liiga | access-date=April 9, 2018 |language=fi}}</ref>}}
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 16]]'' || 2015 || PS4, XBO
| ''[[NHL 16]]'' || 2015 || PS4, XBO
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|PS4, XBO
|PS4, XBO
|[[Connor McDavid]] ([[Edmonton Oilers|<small>Edmonton</small>]])
|[[Connor McDavid]] ([[Edmonton Oilers|<small>Edmonton</small>]])
|{{unbulleted list|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Roman Josi]] <small>([[Nashville Predators|Nashville]])</small> (The Josi cover was officially released as a downloadable cover by EA Sports, but the McDavid cover was sold at retail in Switzerland)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://media.contentapi.ea.com//content/dam/ea/easports/nhl/buy-page/nhl18/nhl18-swiss/nhl18-roman-josi-ps4_fr_de_it.pdf | title=Roman Josi PS4 Cover | publisher=[[EA Sports]] | date=October 11, 2017 | access-date=March 14, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315195913/https://media.contentapi.ea.com//content/dam/ea/easports/nhl/buy-page/nhl18/nhl18-swiss/nhl18-roman-josi-ps4_fr_de_it.pdf | archive-date=March 15, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{Ref|SUI|SUI}} [[Roman Josi]] <small>([[Nashville Predators|Nashville]])</small> (The Josi cover was officially released as a downloadable cover by EA Sports, but the McDavid cover was sold at retail in Switzerland)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://media.contentapi.ea.com//content/dam/ea/easports/nhl/buy-page/nhl18/nhl18-swiss/nhl18-roman-josi-ps4_fr_de_it.pdf | title=Roman Josi PS4 Cover | publisher=[[EA Sports]] | date=October 11, 2017 | access-date=March 14, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315195913/https://media.contentapi.ea.com//content/dam/ea/easports/nhl/buy-page/nhl18/nhl18-swiss/nhl18-roman-josi-ps4_fr_de_it.pdf | archive-date=March 15, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 19]]'' || 2018 || PS4, XBO
| ''[[NHL 19]]'' || 2018 || PS4, XBO
| [[P. K. Subban]] ([[Nashville Predators|<small>Nashville</small>]])
| [[P. K. Subban]] ([[Nashville Predators|<small>Nashville</small>]])
| {{unbulleted list|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Patrik Laine]] <small>([[Winnipeg Jets|Winnipeg]])</small><ref name="gamereactor.se">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/641323/William+Nylander+pryder+NHL+19omslaget+i+Sverige/?sid=eab9ba16335d7ba7833219c7f1319287 |title=William Nylander pryder NHL 19-omslaget i Sverige |date=2 August 2018 |website=Gamereactor |access-date=3 August 2018 |language=sv}}</ref><br />{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[William Nylander]] <small>([[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]])</small><ref name="gamereactor.se"/>
|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Patrik Laine]] <small>([[Winnipeg Jets|Winnipeg]])</small><ref name="gamereactor.se">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.se/nyheter/641323/William+Nylander+pryder+NHL+19omslaget+i+Sverige/?sid=eab9ba16335d7ba7833219c7f1319287 |title=William Nylander pryder NHL 19-omslaget i Sverige |date=2 August 2018 |website=Gamereactor |access-date=3 August 2018 |language=sv}}</ref><br />{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[William Nylander]] <small>([[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]])</small><ref name="gamereactor.se"/>
Ultimate edition: [[Wayne Gretzky]] <small>([[Edmonton Oilers|Edmonton]])</small>
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 20]]'' || 2019 || PS4, XBO
| ''[[NHL 20]]'' || 2019 || PS4, XBO
| [[Auston Matthews]] ([[Toronto Maple Leafs|<small>Toronto</small>]])
| [[Auston Matthews]] ([[Toronto Maple Leafs|<small>Toronto</small>]])
|unbulleted list|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Patrik Laine]] <small>([[Winnipeg Jets|Winnipeg]])</small><br />{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Elias Pettersson]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small>
|{{Ref|FIN|FIN}} [[Patrik Laine]] <small>([[Winnipeg Jets|Winnipeg]])</small><br />{{Ref|SWE|SWE}} [[Elias Pettersson]] <small>([[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]])</small>
|-
|-
| ''[[NHL 21]]'' || 2020 || PS4, XBO
| ''[[NHL 21]]'' || 2020 || PS4, XBO
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|''[[NHL 22]]''
|''[[NHL 22]]''
|2021
|2021
|PS4, XBO, [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|XSX]]
|PS4, XBO, [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[XSX/S]]
|[[Auston Matthews]] ([[Toronto Maple Leafs|<small>Toronto</small>]])
|[[Auston Matthews]] ([[Toronto Maple Leafs|<small>Toronto</small>]])
|–
|–
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|''[[NHL 23]]''
|''[[NHL 23]]''
|2022
|2022
|PS4, XBO, [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|XSX]]
|PS4, XBO, PS5, XSX/S
|[[Trevor Zegras]] ([[Anaheim Ducks|<small>Anaheim</small>]]) and [[Sarah Nurse]] ([[Canada women's national ice hockey team|<small>Canada</small>]])
|[[Trevor Zegras]] ([[Anaheim Ducks|<small>Anaheim</small>]]) and [[Sarah Nurse]] ([[Canada women's national ice hockey team|<small>Canada</small>]])
|–
|–
Line 174: Line 168:
|''[[NHL 24]]''
|''[[NHL 24]]''
|2023
|2023
|PS4, XBO, [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|XSX]]
|PS4, XBO, PS5, XSX/S
|[[Cale Makar]] ([[Colorado Avalanche|<small>Colorado</small>]])
|[[Cale Makar]] ([[Colorado Avalanche|<small>Colorado</small>]])
|–
|–
|-
|''[[NHL 25]]''
|2024
|PS5, XSX/S
|[[Quinn Hughes]] (<small>[[Vancouver Canucks|Vancouver]]</small>)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Hughes Brothers |url=https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-25/features/cover-athletes |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=www.ea.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Ref|US|US}} [[Jack Hughes]] (<small>[[New Jersey Devils|New Jersey]]</small>)<ref name=":0" />
Deluxe edition: [[Luke Hughes (ice hockey)|Luke Hughes]] (<small>[[New Jersey Devils|New Jersey]]</small>) along with his brothers Quinn and Jack. This version wasn't released in a physical format.
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 184: Line 185:
: {{Note|‡|‡}}[[Joe Thornton]] was originally chosen, but EA switched to [[Dany Heatley]] after Thornton was accused of assaulting two police officers. Thornton's cover was never produced. After the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]] had begun, Heatley was involved in a car crash that killed teammate [[Dan Snyder (ice hockey)|Dan Snyder]], prompting EA to switch covers to one featuring [[Joe Sakic]].<ref name="curse"/>
: {{Note|‡|‡}}[[Joe Thornton]] was originally chosen, but EA switched to [[Dany Heatley]] after Thornton was accused of assaulting two police officers. Thornton's cover was never produced. After the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]] had begun, Heatley was involved in a car crash that killed teammate [[Dan Snyder (ice hockey)|Dan Snyder]], prompting EA to switch covers to one featuring [[Joe Sakic]].<ref name="curse"/>
: {{Note|‡|‡|‡}}[[Patrick Kane]] was originally slated to share the cover with teammate [[Jonathan Toews]], however, following sexual assault claims made against Kane, he was dropped from the cover.<ref name="KaneDropped">{{cite web |author=Mike Cole |work=[[NESN]] |title=EA Sports Pulls Patrick Kane From 'NHL 16' Cover Amid Reported Rape Investigation |url=http://nesn.com/2015/08/ea-sports-pulls-patrick-kane-from-nhl-16-cover-amid-reported-rape-investigation/ |date=2015-08-12 |accessdate=2015-08-15 }}</ref>
: {{Note|‡|‡|‡}}[[Patrick Kane]] was originally slated to share the cover with teammate [[Jonathan Toews]], however, following sexual assault claims made against Kane, he was dropped from the cover.<ref name="KaneDropped">{{cite web |author=Mike Cole |work=[[NESN]] |title=EA Sports Pulls Patrick Kane From 'NHL 16' Cover Amid Reported Rape Investigation |url=http://nesn.com/2015/08/ea-sports-pulls-patrick-kane-from-nhl-16-cover-amid-reported-rape-investigation/ |date=2015-08-12 |accessdate=2015-08-15 }}</ref>
: {{Note|EU|EU}}in Europe; {{Note|DEN|DEN}}in {{flag|Denmark|size=15px}}; {{Note|FIN|FIN}}in {{flag|Finland|size=15px}}; {{Note|RUS|RUS}}in {{flag|Russia|size=15px}}; {{Note|SWE|SWE}}in {{flag|Sweden|size=15px}}; {{Note|SUI|SUI}} in {{flag|Switzerland|size=13px}}; {{Note|CZE|CZE}}in {{flag|Czech Republic|size=15px}}
: {{Note|EU|EU}}in Europe; {{Note|DEN|DEN}}in {{flag|Denmark|size=15px}}; {{Note|FIN|FIN}}in {{flag|Finland|size=15px}}; {{Note|RUS|RUS}}in {{flag|Russia|size=15px}}; {{Note|SWE|SWE}}in {{flag|Sweden|size=15px}}; {{Note|SUI|SUI}} in {{flag|Switzerland|size=13px}}; {{Note|CZE|CZE}}in {{flag|Czech Republic|size=15px}}; {{Note|US|US}}in {{flag|United States|size=15px}}
}}
}}


== Leagues ==
== Leagues ==


In addition to the NHL itself, the different installments of the game include development leagues like the [[American Hockey League]] and [[ECHL]], European national leagues from Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic, and the European [[Champions Hockey League]].
In addition to the NHL itself, the different installments of the game include development leagues like the [[American Hockey League]] and [[ECHL]], major junior leagues like the member leagues of the [[Canadian Hockey League]], European national leagues from Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic, and the European [[Champions Hockey League]].


== Game covers ==
== Game covers ==
Line 195: Line 196:
[[Image:NHL95 MegaDrive.jpg|right|thumb|''NHL 95'' cover for the [[Mega Drive]]]]
[[Image:NHL95 MegaDrive.jpg|right|thumb|''NHL 95'' cover for the [[Mega Drive]]]]


As is traditional with EA Sports, the NHL series [[Computer and video game packaging|boxes]] feature live action photos instead of drawings. As it lacked the NHLPA license, the early titles staged photos without real players. ''NHLPA Hockey 93'', on the other hand, had the rights to use player images, but not of the teams. On this cover, the main action photo features the [[New York Rangers]]' [[Randy Moller]] checking the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]' [[Rod Brind'Amour]] while Rangers goaltender [[Mike Richter]] makes a save (in this photo there is the logo of the [[New York Rangers]] located on the bottom right of the goaltender's pants). This photo is surrounded by eight small portraits of players ([[Steve Yzerman]], [[Andy Moog]], [[Pat LaFontaine]], [[Brian Leetch]], [[Ray Bourque]], [[Patrick Roy]], [[Jeremy Roenick]], and [[Rick Tocchet]]). This changed with ''NHL 94'', which featured a goal situation for [[Tomas Sandström|Tomas Sandstrom]] ([[Los Angeles Kings]]) against [[Andy Moog]] ([[Boston Bruins]]). ''NHL 95'' featured an in-goal camera during a goal scored by [[Alexei Kovalev]] of the [[New York Rangers]] during the [[1994 Stanley Cup Finals]] against [[Kirk McLean]] of the Vancouver Canucks. ''NHL 96'' featured [[New Jersey Devils|New Jersey]]'s [[Scott Stevens]] and [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit]]'s [[Steve Yzerman]]. More recently, [[Claude Giroux]] was featured on the cover of ''NHL 13'' and [[Martin Brodeur]] was on the cover of ''[[NHL 14]]''. On June 24, 2014, EA Sports announced at the 2014 [[National Hockey League|NHL]] Awards in Las Vegas that [[Patrice Bergeron]] of the [[Boston Bruins]] would be the official cover athlete for ''[[NHL 15]]''. In 2015, during the NHL awards, it was announced that the cover of ''[[NHL 16]]'' would feature [[Jonathan Toews]] and [[Patrick Kane]] carrying the [[Stanley Cup]] together. However, on August 12, 2015, EA announced that Kane would not be appearing on the cover or participating in any promotional activities for the game in light of a criminal investigation he was involved in. Instead, the cover featured Toews alone. At the 2016 NHL Awards, it was announced that [[Vladimir Tarasenko]] of the [[St. Louis Blues]] was to appear on the cover of ''[[NHL 17]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/808876|title = Blackhawks' Patrick Kane removed from 'NHL 16' cover amid investigation|date = August 12, 2015|access-date = August 12, 2015|website = The Score|last = Gold-Smith|first = Josh}}</ref> On June 21, 2017, during the 2017 NHL Awards, EA announced that [[Connor McDavid]] of the [[Edmonton Oilers]] would be the cover athlete on NHL 18.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-connor-mcdavid-named-ea-sports-nhl-18-cover-athlete/|title=Oilers' Connor McDavid named EA Sports NHL 18 cover athlete - Sportsnet.ca|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> Until ''NHL 21'', regional covers were also produced featuring NHL players from that region.
As is traditional with EA Sports, the NHL series [[Computer and video game packaging|boxes]] feature live action photos instead of drawings. As it lacked the NHLPA license, the early titles staged photos without real players. ''NHLPA Hockey 93'', on the other hand, had the rights to use player images, but not of the teams. On this cover, the main action photo features the [[New York Rangers]]' [[Randy Moller]] checking the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]' [[Rod Brind'Amour]] while Rangers goaltender [[Mike Richter]] makes a save (in this photo there is the logo of the [[New York Rangers]] located on the bottom right of the goaltender's pants). This photo is surrounded by eight small portraits of players ([[Steve Yzerman]], [[Andy Moog]], [[Pat LaFontaine]], [[Brian Leetch]], [[Ray Bourque]], [[Patrick Roy]], [[Jeremy Roenick]], and [[Rick Tocchet]]). This changed with ''NHL 94'', which featured a goal situation for [[Tomas Sandström|Tomas Sandstrom]] ([[Los Angeles Kings]]) against [[Andy Moog]] ([[Boston Bruins]]). ''NHL 95'' featured an in-goal camera during a goal scored by [[Alexei Kovalev]] of the [[New York Rangers]] during the [[1994 Stanley Cup Finals]] against [[Kirk McLean]] of the Vancouver Canucks. ''NHL 96'' featured [[New Jersey Devils|New Jersey]]'s [[Scott Stevens]] and [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit]]'s [[Steve Yzerman]]. More recently, [[Claude Giroux]] was featured on the cover of ''NHL 13'' and [[Martin Brodeur]] was on the cover of ''[[NHL 14]]''. On June 24, 2014, EA Sports announced at the 2014 [[National Hockey League|NHL]] Awards in Las Vegas that [[Patrice Bergeron]] of the [[Boston Bruins]] would be the official cover athlete for ''[[NHL 15]]''. In 2015, during the NHL awards, it was announced that the cover of ''[[NHL 16]]'' would feature [[Jonathan Toews]] and [[Patrick Kane]] carrying the [[Stanley Cup]] together. However, on August 12, 2015, EA announced that Kane would not be appearing on the cover or participating in any promotional activities for the game in light of a criminal investigation he was involved in. Instead, the cover featured Toews alone. At the 2016 NHL Awards, it was announced that [[Vladimir Tarasenko]] of the [[St. Louis Blues]] was to appear on the cover of ''[[NHL 17]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/808876|title = Blackhawks' Patrick Kane removed from 'NHL 16' cover amid investigation|date = August 12, 2015|access-date = August 12, 2015|website = The Score|last = Gold-Smith|first = Josh}}</ref> On June 21, 2017, during the 2017 NHL Awards, EA announced that [[Connor McDavid]] of the [[Edmonton Oilers]] would be the cover athlete on ''[[NHL 18]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Oilers' Connor McDavid named EA Sports NHL 18 cover athlete - Sportsnet.ca |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-connor-mcdavid-named-ea-sports-nhl-18-cover-athlete/ |access-date=2017-06-22 |work=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> On August 22, 2024, EA announced that [[Quinn Hughes]] of the [[Vancouver Canucks]] would be the Canadian and international cover athlete, and [[Jack Hughes]] of the [[New Jersey Devils]] would be the US regional cover athlete on ''[[NHL 25]]''. And on the deluxe edition cover of [[NHL 25|''NHL 25'']], all three Hughes brothers (including [[Luke Hughes (ice hockey)|Luke Hughes]] of the [[New Jersey Devils]]) are the cover athletes together, which is for the first time in video game history that three siblings are on a video game cover art together.<ref name=":0" />

=== List of Cover Stars ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Standard Edition Cover Athlete
!Game
!Player
!Position
!Team
|-
|''[[NHL Hockey]]''
|[[Glenn Healy]]
|Goaltender
|[[Los Angeles Kings]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |''[[NHLPA Hockey '93]]''
|[[Rod Brind'Amour]]
|Center
|[[Philadelphia Flyers]]
|-
|[[Mike Richter]]
|Goaltender
|[[New York Rangers]]
|-
|[[Randy Moller]]
|Defenceman
|[[New York Rangers]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |''[[NHL '94]]''
|[[Tomas Sandström]]
|Right Wing
|[[Los Angeles Kings]]
|-
|[[Andy Moog]]
|Goaltender
|[[Boston Bruins]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |''[[NHL 95]]''
|[[Alexei Kovalev]]
|Right Wing
|[[New York Rangers]]
|-
|[[Kirk McLean]]
|Goaltender
|[[Vancouver Canucks]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |''[[NHL 96]]''
|[[Scott Stevens]]
|Defenceman
|[[New Jersey Devils]]
|-
|[[Steve Yzerman]]
|Center
|[[Detroit Red Wings]]
|-
|''[[NHL 97]]''
|[[John Vanbiesbrouck]]
|Goaltender
|[[Florida Panthers]]
|-
|''[[NHL 98]]''
|[[Peter Forsberg]]
|Center
|[[Colorado Avalanche]]
|-
|''[[NHL 99]]''
|[[Eric Lindros]]
|Center
|[[Philadelphia Flyers]]
|-
|''[[NHL 2000]]''
|[[Chris Pronger]]
|Defenceman
|[[St. Louis Blues]]
|-
|''[[NHL 2001]]''
|[[Owen Nolan]]
|Right Wing
|[[San Jose Sharks]]
|-
|''[[NHL 2002]]''
|[[Mario Lemieux]]
|Center
|[[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
|-
|''[[NHL 2003]]''
|[[Jarome Iginla]]
|Right Wing
|[[Calgary Flames]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |''[[NHL 2004]]''
|[[Dany Heatley]]
|Left Wing
|[[Atlanta Thrashers]]
|-
|[[Joe Sakic]]
|Center
|[[Colorado Avalanche]]
|-
|''[[NHL 2005]]''
|[[Markus Näslund|Markus Naslund]]
|Left Wing
|[[Vancouver Canucks]]
|-
|''[[NHL 06]]''
|[[Vincent Lecavalier]]
|Center
|[[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
|-
|''[[NHL 07]]''
|[[Alexander Ovechkin]]
|Left Wing
|[[Washington Capitals]]
|-
|''[[NHL 08]]''
|[[Eric Staal]]
|Center
|[[Carolina Hurricanes]]
|-
|''[[NHL 09]]''
|[[Dion Phaneuf]]
|Defenceman
|[[Calgary Flames]]
|-
|''[[NHL 10]]''
|[[Patrick Kane]]
|Right Wing
|[[Chicago Blackhawks]]
|-
|''[[NHL 11]]''
|[[Jonathan Toews]]
|Center
|[[Chicago Blackhawks]]
|-
|''[[NHL 12]]''
|[[Steven Stamkos]]
|Center
|[[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
|-
|''[[NHL 13]]''
|[[Claude Giroux]]
|Forward
|[[Philadelphia Flyers]]
|-
|''[[NHL 14]]''
|[[Martin Brodeur]]
|Goaltender
|[[New Jersey Devils]]
|-
|''[[NHL 15]]''
|[[Patrice Bergeron]]
|Center
|[[Boston Bruins]]
|-
|''[[NHL 16]]''
|[[Jonathan Toews]]
|Center
|[[Chicago Blackhawks]]
|-
|''[[NHL 17]]''
|[[Vladimir Tarasenko]]
|Right Wing
|[[St. Louis Blues]]
|-
|''[[NHL 18]]''
|[[Connor McDavid]]
|Center
|[[Edmonton Oilers]]
|-
|''[[NHL 19]]''
|[[P. K. Subban]]
|Defenceman
|[[Nashville Predators]]
|-
|''[[NHL 20]]''
|[[Auston Matthews]]
|Center
|[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
|-
|''[[NHL 21]]''
|[[Alexander Ovechkin]]
|Left Wing
|[[Washington Capitals]]
|-
|''[[NHL 22]]''
|[[Auston Matthews]]
|Center
|[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
|-
|''[[NHL 23]]''
|[[Trevor Zegras]] AND [[Sarah Nurse]]
|Forwards
|[[Anaheim Ducks]] AND [[Canada women's national ice hockey team|Canadian women's national ice hockey team]]
|-
| ''[[NHL 24]]''
|[[Cale Makar]]
|Defenceman
|[[Colorado Avalanche]]
|}

===Positions of cover stars===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
! Position
! # of Covers
|-
!rowspan="Center" | Center
|18
|-
!rowspan="Wing" | Wing
|10
|-
!rowspan="Goaltender" | Goaltenders
|6
|-
!rowspan="Defence" | Defencemen
|6
|-
|}

===Teams of cover stars (excluding international)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! # Wins
! Team
! Years of Cover Star
|-
!rowspan="3" | 3
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| 93, 99, 13
|-
| [[Chicago Blackhawks]]
| 10, 11, 16
|-
| [[Colorado Avalanche]]
| 98, 2004, 24
|-
!rowspan="11" | 2
|-
| [[Los Angeles Kings]]
| Hockey, 94
|-
| [[New York Rangers]]
| 93, 95
|-
| [[Boston Bruins]]
| 94, 15
|-
| [[Vancouver Canucks]]
| 95, 2005
|-
| [[New Jersey Devils]]
| 96, 14
|-
| [[St. Louis Blues]]
| 2000, 17
|-
| [[Calgary Flames]]
| 2003, 09
|-
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| 06, 12
|-
| [[Washington Capitals]]
| 07, 21
|-
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| 20, 22
|-
!rowspan="10" | 1
|-
| [[Detroit Red Wings]]
| 96
|-
| [[Florida Panthers]]
| 97
|-
| [[San Jose Sharks]]
| 2001
|-
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| 2002
|-
| [[Atlanta Thrashers]]
| 2004
|-
| [[Carolina Hurricanes]]
| 08
|-
| [[Edmonton Oilers]]
| 18
|-
| [[Nashville Predators]]
| 19
|-
| [[Anaheim Ducks]]
| 23
|}


== Commentary ==
== Commentary ==
Line 573: Line 277:
! scope="row" |[[NHL 24]]
! scope="row" |[[NHL 24]]
| rowspan="4" |[[James Cybulski]], [[Cheryl Pounder]]
| rowspan="4" |[[James Cybulski]], [[Cheryl Pounder]]
|-
! scope="row" |[[NHL 25]]
|}
|}


== Controversy ==
== Controversy ==
{{Original research section|date=April 2022}}
{{Original research section|date=April 2022}}
One idea that has been widely discussed over many years within the fan community is a purported automatic built-in gameplay mechanism called ”ice tilt”, which modifies skaters' and/or goalies' and/or the referee's penalty-decision-making behavior irrationally to favor a worse player, a player on a losing streak or a player who is down by multiple goals. EA Sports has openly denied the existence of any such mechanism, instead saying that winning is a product of skill and the quality of the team's roster. However, EA once published a document about a feature called "Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment", which was interpreted by some as confirming the existence of ice tilt.<ref>https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/25/9b/fc/c885b6d84e460f/US20170259177A1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
One idea that has been widely discussed over many years within the fan community is a purported automatic built-in gameplay mechanism called ”ice tilt”, which modifies skaters' and/or goalies' and/or the referee's penalty-decision-making behavior irrationally to favor a worse player, a player on a losing streak or a player who is down by multiple goals. EA Sports has openly denied the existence of any such mechanism, instead saying that winning is a product of skill and the quality of the team's roster. However, EA once published a document about a feature called "Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment", which was interpreted by some as confirming the existence of ice tilt. EA has not denied this. In fact, they patented the software for it.
<ref>https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/25/9b/fc/c885b6d84e460f/US20170259177A1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>


== Soundtracks ==
== Soundtracks ==

Revision as of 05:16, 10 December 2024

For the NHL 2K series, see NHL 2K.
NHL
Genre(s)Sports (ice hockey)
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
Platform(s)Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, Sega CD, MS-DOS, Game Boy, Saturn, Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Gear, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
First releaseNHL Hockey
1991
Latest releaseNHL 25
October 4, 2024

NHL (colloquially referred to as Chel[1]) is a series of professional ice hockey simulation video games developed by EA Vancouver and published yearly by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports brand. The game is developed under license from the National Hockey League (NHL), which enables the use of the league's team names, arenas and colors in the game, and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), which enables the use of the league's player names and likenesses.

Installments

In NHL Hockey from 1991, the game modes were season and playoff, and due to the license, the game was called EA Hockey in Europe and featured 22 national teams instead. NHLPA Hockey '93 was without the NHL license, so instead of NHL team names and logos, there were only cities. In NHL 95 were added game modes exhibition, training, shootout and the possibility to change individual players in teams. On PC, NHL 96 was in 3D with 2D player textures, fights are back (most recently in the first two games). NHL 97 was the first full 3D installment, the national teams of Canada, USA and Russia have been added, the other two teams contain a compilation of the best European players. In NHL 98, 18 national teams were already included. In NHL 99, the career mode was added and in NHL 2000, the tournament mode.

Video game platforms
DOS MS-DOS
GB Game Boy
GBA Game Boy Advance
GBC Game Boy Color
GCN GameCube
GG Game Gear
N64 Nintendo 64
PS1 PlayStation
PS2 PlayStation 2
PS3 PlayStation 3
PS4 PlayStation 4
PS5 PlayStation 5
PSP PlayStation Portable
Sat Saturn
SCD Sega CD
SMD Mega Drive / Genesis
SNES Super NES
Wii Wii
Win Windows
Xbox Xbox
X360 Xbox 360
XBO Xbox One
XSX/S Xbox Series X/S
Title Year Platforms Standard edition cover athletes, worldwide Cover athletes, specific regions and editions
NHL Hockey 1991 SMD
–
NHLPA Hockey '93 1992 SMD, SNES
–
NHL '94 1993 DOS†, SCD, SMD, SNES
–
NHL 95 1994 DOS, GB, GG†, SMD, SNES
–
NHL 96 1995 DOS, GB, SMD, SNES
–
NHL 97 1996 DOS, PS1, Sat, SMD, SNES, Win John Vanbiesbrouck (Florida)[2] –
NHL 98 1997 PS1, Sat, SMD, SNES, Win Peter Forsberg (Colorado)[2] –
NHL 99 1998 N64, PS1, Win Eric Lindros (Philadelphia)[2] –
NHL 2000 1999 GBC, PS1, Win Chris Pronger (St. Louis)[2]
NHL 2001 2000 PS1, PS2, Win Owen Nolan (San Jose)[2]
NHL 2002 2001 GBA, PS2, Win, Xbox Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh)[2] –
NHL 2003 2002 GCN, PS2, Win, Xbox Jarome Iginla (Calgary)[2]
NHL 2004 2003 GCN, PS2, Win, Xbox
–
NHL 2005 2004 GCN, PS2, Win, Xbox Markus Naslund (Vancouver)[2][4] EU Olli Jokinen (Florida)[3]
NHL 06 2005 GCN, PS2, Win, Xbox Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay)[2] EU Tuomo Ruutu (Chicago)[3]
NHL 07 2006 X360, PS2, PSP, Win, Xbox Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)[2]
NHL 08 2007 PS3, X360, PS2, Win Eric Staal (Carolina)[2]
NHL 09 2008 PS3, X360, PS2, Win Dion Phaneuf (Calgary)[2][5]
3 on 3 NHL Arcade 2009 PS3, X360 None –
NHL 10 2009 PS3, X360 Patrick Kane (Chicago)[2][6]
In Switzerland, special slip covers were made featuring a player from each team in the Swiss National League. These were sold through each team's online storefront and limited to 400 copies per team.
NHL 11 2010 PS3, X360 Jonathan Toews (Chicago)[7]
NHL Slapshot 2010 Wii Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton) –
NHL 12 2011 PS3, X360 Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay)
NHL 13 2012 PS3, X360 Claude Giroux (Philadelphia)
NHL 14 2013 PS3, X360 Martin Brodeur (New Jersey)
NHL 15 2014 PS4, XBO, PS3, X360 Patrice Bergeron (Boston)
NHL 16 2015 PS4, XBO Jonathan Toews (Chicago)‡ SUI Nino Niederreiter (Minnesota Wild)
NHL: Legacy Edition 2015 PS3, X360 None (Stanley Cup pictured instead) –
NHL 17 2016 PS4, XBO Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis) SUI Nino Niederreiter (Minnesota)[18]
NHL 18 2017 PS4, XBO Connor McDavid (Edmonton) SUI Roman Josi (Nashville) (The Josi cover was officially released as a downloadable cover by EA Sports, but the McDavid cover was sold at retail in Switzerland)[19]
NHL 19 2018 PS4, XBO P. K. Subban (Nashville) FIN Patrik Laine (Winnipeg)[20]
SWE William Nylander (Toronto)[20]

Ultimate edition: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton)

NHL 20 2019 PS4, XBO Auston Matthews (Toronto) FIN Patrik Laine (Winnipeg)
SWE Elias Pettersson (Vancouver)
NHL 21 2020 PS4, XBO Alexander Ovechkin (Washington) –
NHL 22 2021 PS4, XBO, PS5, XSX/S Auston Matthews (Toronto) –
NHL 23 2022 PS4, XBO, PS5, XSX/S Trevor Zegras (Anaheim) and Sarah Nurse (Canada) –
NHL 24 2023 PS4, XBO, PS5, XSX/S Cale Makar (Colorado) –
NHL 25 2024 PS5, XSX/S Quinn Hughes (Vancouver)[21] US Jack Hughes (New Jersey)[21]

Deluxe edition: Luke Hughes (New Jersey) along with his brothers Quinn and Jack. This version wasn't released in a physical format.

^† as NHL Hockey
^‡ Joe Thornton was originally chosen, but EA switched to Dany Heatley after Thornton was accused of assaulting two police officers. Thornton's cover was never produced. After the 2003–04 season had begun, Heatley was involved in a car crash that killed teammate Dan Snyder, prompting EA to switch covers to one featuring Joe Sakic.[3]
^‡ ‡ Patrick Kane was originally slated to share the cover with teammate Jonathan Toews, however, following sexual assault claims made against Kane, he was dropped from the cover.[22]
^EU in Europe; ^DEN in  Denmark; ^FIN in  Finland; ^RUS in  Russia; ^SWE in  Sweden; ^SUI in   Switzerland; ^CZE in  Czech Republic; ^US in  United States

Leagues

In addition to the NHL itself, the different installments of the game include development leagues like the American Hockey League and ECHL, major junior leagues like the member leagues of the Canadian Hockey League, European national leagues from Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic, and the European Champions Hockey League.

Game covers

NHL 95 cover for the Mega Drive

As is traditional with EA Sports, the NHL series boxes feature live action photos instead of drawings. As it lacked the NHLPA license, the early titles staged photos without real players. NHLPA Hockey 93, on the other hand, had the rights to use player images, but not of the teams. On this cover, the main action photo features the New York Rangers' Randy Moller checking the Philadelphia Flyers' Rod Brind'Amour while Rangers goaltender Mike Richter makes a save (in this photo there is the logo of the New York Rangers located on the bottom right of the goaltender's pants). This photo is surrounded by eight small portraits of players (Steve Yzerman, Andy Moog, Pat LaFontaine, Brian Leetch, Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy, Jeremy Roenick, and Rick Tocchet). This changed with NHL 94, which featured a goal situation for Tomas Sandstrom (Los Angeles Kings) against Andy Moog (Boston Bruins). NHL 95 featured an in-goal camera during a goal scored by Alexei Kovalev of the New York Rangers during the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals against Kirk McLean of the Vancouver Canucks. NHL 96 featured New Jersey's Scott Stevens and Detroit's Steve Yzerman. More recently, Claude Giroux was featured on the cover of NHL 13 and Martin Brodeur was on the cover of NHL 14. On June 24, 2014, EA Sports announced at the 2014 NHL Awards in Las Vegas that Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins would be the official cover athlete for NHL 15. In 2015, during the NHL awards, it was announced that the cover of NHL 16 would feature Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane carrying the Stanley Cup together. However, on August 12, 2015, EA announced that Kane would not be appearing on the cover or participating in any promotional activities for the game in light of a criminal investigation he was involved in. Instead, the cover featured Toews alone. At the 2016 NHL Awards, it was announced that Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues was to appear on the cover of NHL 17.[23] On June 21, 2017, during the 2017 NHL Awards, EA announced that Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers would be the cover athlete on NHL 18.[24] On August 22, 2024, EA announced that Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks would be the Canadian and international cover athlete, and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils would be the US regional cover athlete on NHL 25. And on the deluxe edition cover of NHL 25, all three Hughes brothers (including Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils) are the cover athletes together, which is for the first time in video game history that three siblings are on a video game cover art together.[21]

Commentary

In NHLPA '93 and NHL '94, Emmy award-winning[25] sportscaster Ron Barr gives a pre-game scouting report prior to each game. In the Genesis version of NHL 95, KNBR radio sportscaster John Shrader replaced Ron Barr in that duty. Live play-by-play commentary was introduced in the PC version of NHL 97. Jim Hughson, former play-by-play man for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and also one of Canada's best-known hockey announcers, provided the play-by-play for much of the series. The last games in which he is one of the announcers are the PC and PS2 versions of NHL 09. Bill Clement was the sole commentator in the Nintendo 64 version of NHL 99. Gary Thorne provided the play-by-play commentary in all Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions from NHL 07 through NHL 14. NBC Sports commentator Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk provided the play-by-play and color commentary on all platforms, with their first appearance together being in NHL 15 and last in NHL 19. James Cybulski is the current play-by-play commentator, starting with NHL 20. NHL 15 was also the first game to introduce an ice level analyst, with TSN analyst Ray Ferraro appearing in the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game. Color commentary has been provided by Daryl Reaugh (NHL 98–99), Bill Clement (NHL 2000–2001, and NHL 07–14 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3), Don Taylor (NHL 2002–2003), Craig Simpson (NHL 2004–09), Eddie Olczyk (NHL 15–19). Ferraro made the jump from ice-level analyst to full color commentator in NHL 20 (NHL 20–present).

Commentary Team
Games Commentary Team
NHL 97 Jim Hughson
NHL 98 Jim Hughson, Daryl Reaugh
NHL 99 Jim Hughson, Daryl Reaugh and Bill Clement
NHL 2000 Jim Hughson, Bill Clement
NHL 2001
NHL 2002 Jim Hughson, Don Taylor
NHL 2003
NHL 2004 Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson
NHL 2005
NHL 06
NHL 07 Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson (PC, PS2)

Gary Thorne, Bill Clement (PS3, Xbox 360)

NHL 08
NHL 09
NHL 10 Gary Thorne, Bill Clement
NHL Slapshot
NHL 11
NHL 12
NHL 13
NHL 14
NHL 15 Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Ray Ferraro
NHL: Legacy Edition
NHL 16
NHL 17
NHL 18
NHL 19
NHL 20 James Cybulski, Ray Ferraro
NHL 21
NHL 22
NHL 23
NHL 24 James Cybulski, Cheryl Pounder
NHL 25

Controversy

One idea that has been widely discussed over many years within the fan community is a purported automatic built-in gameplay mechanism called ”ice tilt”, which modifies skaters' and/or goalies' and/or the referee's penalty-decision-making behavior irrationally to favor a worse player, a player on a losing streak or a player who is down by multiple goals. EA Sports has openly denied the existence of any such mechanism, instead saying that winning is a product of skill and the quality of the team's roster. However, EA once published a document about a feature called "Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment", which was interpreted by some as confirming the existence of ice tilt. EA has not denied this. In fact, they patented the software for it. [26]

Soundtracks

NHL 99 was the first game in the series to feature fully licensed music from David Bowie for the intro video. Since then, each game has had soundtracks of licensed music known as EA Sports Trax, with selections of punk, alternative, and rock music. Electronic and hip hop music was later added to the mix in later games. NHL 15 and NHL 16 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One use an original orchestral score instead for the menus, while the soundtrack continues playing in the arenas. NHL 17 returned to the traditional EA Trax feature and also allowed the option to switch back to the original score from NHL 15.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hockey Player Lingo: The Ultimate Dictionary". The Hockey Writers. November 5, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bonanno, Rocky (June 22, 2009). "Kane lands on EA SPORTS NHL 10 cover". NHL.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Brown, Erin (August 11, 2009). "EA's NHL series: cursed or not?". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "NHL 10 cover athlete: Nicklas Bäckström". NHL Informer. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Dion Phaneuf named worldwide cover athlete of EA's NHL 09 [press release]. Redwood City: Electronic Arts Inc.; 2008-06-09 [cited 2010-06-15].
  6. ^ a b c d e Samit Sarkar (July 13, 2009). "Watch the NHL 10 international cover athletes do their thing". Destructoid. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  7. ^ EA Sports. Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews the New Face of EA SPORTS NHL 11 [press release]. 21 June 2010 [cited 21 June 2010].
  8. ^ Jonas Elfving (June 23, 2010). "Sedin-bröderna på NHL 11-omslag" [Needs translation]. Game reactor (in Swedish). Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  9. ^ The Swiss And The Swedes Get Their Own NHL 11. 24 June 2010 [cited 24 June 2010].
  10. ^ / Jonas Hiller en couverture de NHL 12. 27 June 2011 [cited 27 June 2011].
  11. ^ "Henrik Sedin at NHL 13 Midnight Launch [Pictures]". 604 Now. September 12, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "Uudesta änäristä Jari Kurrin arvoinen erikoisversio" (in Finnish). Pelaaja. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Här är omslagen till NHL 14 EA Sports Club Edition - SHL.se (Swedish)
  14. ^ "SM-liigan joukkueet saivat persoonalliset NHL14 -kannet - Liiga". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  15. ^ «El Nino» est prêt à faire chauffer les glaces de NHL. 22 July 2014 [cited 23 July 2014].
  16. ^ Spelarna som pryder specialomslagen av EA SPORTS NHL 15 (Swedish)
  17. ^ "EA julkaisee NHL15 –pelistä Liiga Edition -keräilyversion" (in Finnish). Liiga. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  18. ^ "Minnesota Wild's Nino Niederreiter to appear on Swiss cover of NHL 17". FOX Sports. July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  19. ^ "Roman Josi PS4 Cover" (PDF). EA Sports. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  20. ^ a b "William Nylander pryder NHL 19-omslaget i Sverige". Gamereactor (in Swedish). August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c "The Hughes Brothers". www.ea.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  22. ^ Mike Cole (August 12, 2015). "EA Sports Pulls Patrick Kane From 'NHL 16' Cover Amid Reported Rape Investigation". NESN. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  23. ^ Gold-Smith, Josh (August 12, 2015). "Blackhawks' Patrick Kane removed from 'NHL 16' cover amid investigation". The Score. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  24. ^ "Oilers' Connor McDavid named EA Sports NHL 18 cover athlete - Sportsnet.ca". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  25. ^ "Sports Byline USA with Ron Barr". Sports Byline USA. December 27, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  26. ^ https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/25/9b/fc/c885b6d84e460f/US20170259177A1.pdf [bare URL PDF]
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