EA used NHL stars on the cover of its hockey games right from the start in 1991 with NHL Hockey on Sega Genesis. The goal was likely appealing to consumers using the sport’s most recognizable figures at the time, and the unintentional result is a time capsule of sorts, a look into the sports’ past and who stood out among the rest at the time. Or, at the very least, it’s a look at who was the most interested in experimenting with different forms of exposure – handy during lockouts when no one could even set their skates on the ice.
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NHL Hockey (1991) - Glenn Healy
Goaltender and later sportscaster Glenn Healy might be better known to some as the inventor of the Loch Ness Monster, a segment on TSN, a show that spotlighted a player everyone expected to perform well, but who underperformed that night – the monster you expect, but never see.
This wasn’t the only cover Healy showed up on during his career, either.
NHLPA Hockey ‘93 - Rod Brind’Amour, Mike Richter, and Randy Moller
NHLPA 93 was all about the Rangers, a timely prediction considering the team’s incredible, iconic year in 1994 when they ended a lengthy losing streak and won the Stanley Cup. “Cover stars” might be a bit generous here, though, since you can barely see the three players thanks to some rather odd positioning.
NHL ‘94 - Thomas Sandstrom and Andy Moog
This one was unusual among its peers in that it features two players who weren’t particularly well known at the time. You can probably count the number of people with a Moog jersey in ‘94 on one hand, but if nothing else, the action shot is pure fire.
NHL 95 - Alexei Kovalev and Kirk McLean
NHL 95 featured developer Visual Concepts, better known for NBA 2K in later years, and it even dropped the apostrophe before the shortened date. More noteworthy is Alexei Kovalev, pictured making one of his 24 goals across a legendary campaign during the 1995-’96 season.
NHL 96 - Scott Stevens and Steve Yzerman
1996 was the Avalanche’s time to shine and snag a Stanley Cup win, but Stevens and Yzerman are the perfect representatives for the league at that time. The Devils and Red Wings were finalists in ‘95 and remained on the scene for roughly the next decade. Neither team would have got there without Stevens and the offensive powerhouse that Yzerman.
NHL 97 - John Vanbiesbrouck
Vanbiesbrouck had an impressive career that spanned a staggering three decades in the NHL and was inducted into the hall of fame in 2007. What EA couldn’t know at the time is that Vanbiesbrouck would soon tarnish his reputation, after he used a racial slur in a verbal assault against Trevor Daley following his retirement in 2003.
NHL 98 - Peter Forsberg
It might not be the most flattering shot of Peter Forsberg, but EA could probably have picked any Forsberg image at the time and run with it, he was just that popular.
NHL 99 - Eric Lindros
Eric Lindros is a fantastic pick for the NHL 99 cover, following his 93-point season the previous year. That was far from Lindros’ peak, though. His offensive potential remained high for years to come, even in the face of multiple injuries and a big trade.
NHL 2000 - Chris Pronger
Pronger was an unorthodox choice for this cover. It’s true he was an unparalleled defenseman for essentially his entire career – but he didn’t have many fans who weren’t teammates for that reason. He’s a remarkable player to be sure – just not the kind of star you think of when “poster boy” comes to mind.
NHL 2001 - Owen Nolan
Nolan, a five-time NHL all-star with more than 30 seasons under his belt, was another conflicting choice. On the one hand, what better personality could you have to highlight the NHL? On the other, his imposing presence didn’t make him the most popular player on the ice
NHL 2002 - Mario Lemieux
NHL 2002 will forever be remembered for its commentary, and one of the unforgettable lines that commentator Jim Hughson bellowed comes when Mario Lemieux gets hold of the puck.
Lemieux needs no introduction. One of the greatest players ever to grace the NHL. 1,723 points. A bunch of Penguins records not even Crosby has broken. Made of glass. Never played a full season, and yet put up numbers comparable to The Great One. We’d say that warrants a cover.
NHL 2003 - Jarome Iginla
It would’ve been impossible not to include Jarome Iginia at some point, and what better year than 2003? This was coming off the season during which he earned the Maurice Richard, Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson awards. If that weren’t enough, he took the Flames all the way to the Stanley cup finals in 2004, scoring 22 points in the playoffs.
NHL 2004 - Dany Heatley
Heatley was a rising star in the league when NHL 2004 hit the shelves, but however much promise he showed, his potential was cut short in the ‘03-’04 season after an injury.
NHL 2005 - Markus Naslund
NHL 2005 the difficult task of depicting a season that never happened, so while it seems like Markus Naslund drew the short straw, his career was still worth recognizing. He and the Sedin twins turned the Canucks into playoff regulars, and 2005 was right when Naslund was at his meak, right after three remarkable seasons.
NHL 06 - Vincent Lecavalier
The surprising thing is that it took this long for Lecavalier to show up on an NHL cover, especially since 2006 was on the downward curve of his career, long after he lifted the Stanley Cup and near the end of one of the most productive careers in the sport.
NHL 07 - Alexander Ovechkin
Ovechkin was the first cover star who’s still active in the league and remains one of the most remarkable talents on the ice. Ovechkin has been the bane of all defensemen for nearly two dozen NHL seasons, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down – or of not earning awards anymore and appearing on covers.
NHL 08 - Eric Staal
The NHL 08 cover star had the unenviable task of following Ovechkin, though Staal had plenty to recommend him. He won the Stanley Cup as a rookie with an unfavored team, the Carolina Hurricanes, and nearly won a second in 2021 with the Canadians. Alas, this final victory was not to be, and Staal retired after that season.
NHL 09 - Dion Phaneuf
NHL 09 marks the first defensemen on the cover since the 16-bit days. Aside from his well-publicized love rivalry with Sean Avery, Phaneuf was known for his powerful slapshot and exceptional career with the Flames. He eventually moved on to Toronto and Ottawa, but remained one of the top defensemen in the league.
NHL 10 - Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane was an essential part of the Blackhawks and their Stanley Cup win in 2010. And then he helped them when again in 2013 and 2015. EA removed him from the cover of NHL 16 after allegations of rape surfaced against Kane.
NHL 11 - Jonathan Toews
Unlike fellow Blackhawk teammate Kane, Jonathan Toews kept a fairly low profile. His professionalism and leadership were a central part of the three-cup Blackhawks victories, even if those qualities don’t have much sway in the sport’s video game version.
NHL 12 - Steven Stamkos
2012 was a good year for Stamkos and the Lightning, the aseason when he put 60 goals past his opponents – before injuries kept him out of the game for an extended period.
NHL 13 - Claude Giroux
Giroux played a big part in the Flyers’ turn of fortunes, helping them near victory in 2010 after decades of failure. He helped keep the Flyers competitive after the likes of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were traded away, which is a pretty valid reason to stick him on the NHL cover. Unfortunately for the team, Giroux never had quite enough support to carry the Flyers all the way to glory.
NHL 14 - Martin Brodeur
After a lengthy period of no goaltenders, EA finally featured another of the defensive all-stars with Martin Brodeur. NHL 14 coincided with Brodeur’s final season with the Devils, after helping lead them to three Stanley Cup victories in 1995, 200, and 2003 and breaking records for most winds as a goaltender.
NHL 15 - Patrice Bergeon
Continuing the theme of cover stars with remarkable longevity is Patrice Bergeron, though the timing was slightly unfortunate for his Bruins. The team missed the playoffs two years in a row following his appearance on the cover.
NHL 16 - Jonathan Toews
Toews is the first player to feature on two EA NHL covers and only five titles apart, but perhaps it’s not surprising. He built his reputation around work ethic and responsibility, and playing the long game certainly paid off.
NHL 17 - Vladimir Tarasenko
Tarasenko’s reputation was slightly more unusual, though. Fans and players alike assumed he would be the next unstoppable force in the NHL, and he was for a time. But Tarasenko also had an unpleasant habit of going missing during playoff matches and getting himself injured at crucial moments. Still, he managed to help lead the Blues to Stanley Cup victory in 2019.
NHL 18 - Connor McDavid
McDavid scored at least 100 points in every season but two during his career, so it’s no wonder EA slapped him on an NHL cover at last. So far, a Stanley Cup has eluded his grasp, though.
NHL 19 - P.K. Subban
Subban was the first defenseman to appear since Phaneuf 10 years previously, and his gregarious personality and off-ice philanthropic work make him a natural choice to represent the sport. He hasn’t shown up in any significant capacity since being traded to the Devils shortly after NHL 19 launched, but that may be about to change.
NHL 20 - Auston Matthews
Matthews quickly revealed himself as a substantial talent, scoring four goals in his first professional NHL game. He’s yet to bring a Stanley Cup home, though cup aside, Matthews has certainly brought some much-needed recognition to the Maple Leafs.
NHL 21 - Alexander Ovechkin
14 years after his last appearance on an EA NHL cover, Ovechkin turned up again on NHL 21. This cover feels like a celebration of his impressive career and significant accomplishments.
NHL 22 - Auston Matthews
It’s back-to-back game covers featuring returning stars with Matthews’ return, which seems like an odd choice considering very little changed for Matthews in that short period, either on ice or off.
NHL 23 - Trevor Zegras and Sarah Nurse
The most recent NHL cover is a significant change and one EA was eager to make. It features a woman for the first time, as NHL 23 at last included players from the women’s league and lets you create teams where you can make teams with the top male and female players.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
NHL 24 cover star - Cale Makar
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar gets the honor of being NHL 24‘s cover star, following the team’s stellar win during the 2022 Stanley Cup finals.
