Quote :

"The Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal has been chosen by EA to be the cover boy for the latest edition of their popular videogame hockey franchise, NHL 08. "I am a huge fan of the NHL franchise and played NHL 07 fanatically," says Staal. "I am honored to be named to the EA SPORTS family and the NHL 08 team." At just 23 years of age, Staal has become one of Canada's brightest young stars. According to Publicist Jen Riley, "Staal not only represents a true Canadian hockey player but he loves NHL 07, so he was obvious choice for us." Staal notched 75 goals over the last two seasons, with 100 points in 2006 alone. Staal also represented his team at the 2007 NHL All-Star game, and was a key part of the Hurricanes' success during their 2006 playoff run. The hockey tradition in the Staal family runs deep, as his brothers Marc and Jordan were also as first round picks in the NHL. His youngest brother Jared is a first round pick in the Ontario Hockey League. Eric even got a chance to play with his brother Jordan at the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team. "We love having players who demonstrate Canadian patriotism so it was great to see him play with Jordan," says Riley. "The game was made in Canada and is the #1-selling hockey game" Staal joins many NHL All-Stars on the long list of athletes picked to grace the cover of the NHL series of video games: NHL Franchise Cover Athlete NHL 08 Eric Staal NHL 07 Alexander Ovechkin NHL 06 Vincent Lecavalier NHL 2005 Marcus Naslund NHL 2004 Joe Sakic NHL 2003 Jarome Iginla NHL 2002 Mario Lemieux NHL 2001 Owen Nolan NHL 2000 Chris Pronger NHL 99 Eric Lindros NHL 98 Peter Forsberg NHL 97* John Vanbiesbrouck *NHL 97 was the first iteration of the franchise to feature single cover athletes. This year's update to the series, NHL 08 will feature the Skill Stick System which EA says will allow gamers to more easily control the puck. "We're innovating on our skill stick and fine tuning," says Riley. "Now you can beat the goalie as well as defenders on the a 1 on 1 rush" "We've fined tuned it. Your shooting and your abilty to blow by defenders will be increased considerably." Also for the first time, EA has acquired the AHL license, including all 29 AHL teams. Players will be able to play develop talent through the AHL, and call up their prospects to play in the big leagues. NHL 08 will be released this fall on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2 and PC platforms. "The Curse" Many athletes are afraid to grace the cover of a sports-themed videogame due to a myth dubbed the "Madden Curse". Beginning in 1999, 10 players have appeared on the cover of Madden NFL games, and all 10 have either suffered serious injury or a major dip in performance. Though it's not nearly as convincing as the NFL case, it has been speculated that the curse extends to hockey as well, with Dany Heatley being a prime example of one of its victims. Heatley was previously the cover boy for NHL 2004, the same year he was involved in a horrific car wreck. He was taken off the cover for later shipments of the game, and replaced by Joe Sakic."

6/12/2007 9:30:29 AM

Awesome.

6/12/2007 9:32:12 AM

They should have used this picture:

6/12/2007 9:34:05 AM

Quote :

"Staal not only represents a true Canadian hockey player but he loves NHL 07, so he was obvious choice for us"

so the won't put anyone on the cover unless their canadian?

what's that all aboot?

6/12/2007 9:42:02 AM

it looks sweet

6/12/2007 9:48:14 AM

why are they brining up the football curse for a hockey game

6/12/2007 10:19:05 AM

gg Staal

6/12/2007 1:38:31 PM

staals play last year shouldnt have earned hi the cover of shit

6/12/2007 1:46:10 PM

Quote :

"Staal notched 75 goals over the last two seasons, with 100 points in 2006 alone."

How can he score 75 goals between 06 and 07...but still have 100 points in 2006?

I don't know a whole lot about hockey...so don't flame me if ive missed something here...

6/12/2007 2:04:36 PM

you get a point for a primary or secondary assist in hockey

6/12/2007 2:06:00 PM

hint: points aren't just from goals

6/12/2007 2:07:03 PM

oh ok cool. thanks for clearing that up.

6/12/2007 2:08:23 PM

Quote :

"staals play last year shouldnt have earned him the cover of shit"

amen. now his brother, maybe

6/12/2007 2:22:55 PM

wow it amazes me as to how stupid some of you are

6/12/2007 4:02:42 PM

Quote :

"wow it amazes me as to how stupid some of you are"

ftw.

6/12/2007 4:14:23 PM

Sweet!

but:

Quote :

""staals play last year shouldnt have earned him the cover of shit""

is true

6/12/2007 5:50:05 PM

ea is a canadian company.



was nash on nba? i'm not sure but it ssems like he wouldve been.

6/13/2007 1:46:38 AM

there are different branches for EA, i think EA Canada makes NHL and the LA branch does Live

6/13/2007 8:26:45 AM

Quote :

"there are different branches for EA, i think EA Canada makes NHL and the LA branch does Live"

EA Canada has done NBA Live from 03-07 and NHL 06-07. Canada also did most of the EA Sports BIG games like NBA Street series and the SSX series.

The LA branch does the C&C series, the LoTR series, and the Medal of Honor series.

EA Tiburon (FL) obviously does Madden, NCAA Football, NASCAR, and will take over Tiger Woods in 08.

[Edited on June 13, 2007 at 8:45 AM. Reason : EA]

6/13/2007 8:41:17 AM