Electronic Arts has released the first screenshots from NHL 09 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 following yesterday’s announcement naming a cover athlete and spokesperson had been chosen.
That lucky (or unlucky, depending on your point of view) player is Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, contender for this year’s Norris Trophy and centerpiece of EA’s first batch of screens.
The first details have also come out for the next annual hockey game entry. The Skill Stick System returns with some enhancements on the defensive end to allow for sweeping the stick on the ice and lifting an attacker’s stick to prevent a one-timer.
Online play will support 6 vs. 6 team play so 12 people can play together on 12 different consoles. Additional international teams from the Russian, Czech Republic and German Elite leagues will encourage international online play.
NHL 09 will introduce a new mode, Be A Pro, that utilizes a 3rd person camera to assume the role of a single player throughout an entire game. A stat tracker will rate your performance in more than 50 categories as you identify weaknesses and build up your player’s skill.
Click through the Xbox 360 game details below to view high resolution cover art, or check out the screenshots by clicking any of the thumbnails.
