NHL Covers: A Comprehensive Guide and Forum

Introduction

Welcome to the NHL Covers forum, where passionate fans and avid collectors alike gather to discuss and appreciate the iconic covers of National Hockey League (NHL) video games. From the earliest days of the franchise to the latest iterations, NHL covers have captured the essence of the sport, showcasing some of the game's biggest stars and most memorable moments.

Historical Evolution

EA's Exclusivity (1991-2013):

Electronic Arts (EA) acquired exclusive rights to the NHL video game franchise in 1991. Over the next two decades, EA released a series of NHL games with distinct covers featuring iconic players:

• 1991-94: Wayne Gretzky
• 1995: Jeremy Roenick
• 1996-97: Mario Lemieux
• 1998: Steve Yzerman
• 1999: Dallas Stars
• 2000: Joe Sakic
• 2001: Pavel Bure
• 2002: Chris Pronger
• 2003: Jarome Iginla
• 2004: Zdeno Chara
• 2005-06: Alexander Ovechkin
• 2007: Sidney Crosby
• 2008: Ilya Bryzgalov
• 2009: Marian Gaborik
• 2010: Jonathan Toews
• 2011: David Sedin
• 2012: Daniel Alfredsson
• 2013: Claude Giroux

Post-EA Era (2014-Present):

In 2014, EA's exclusivity ended, and 2K Games released NHL 2K. 2K and EA have since alternated cover player selections:

• 2014: Steven Stamkos (2K)
• 2015: Jonathan Toews (EA)
• 2016: Patrick Kane (2K)
• 2017: Brent Burns (EA)
• 2018: Auston Matthews (2K)
• 2019: P.K. Subban (EA)
• 2020: Nathan MacKinnon (2K)
• 2021: Connor McDavid (EA)
• 2022: Trevor Zegras (2K)
• 2023: Cale Makar (EA)

Factors Influencing Cover Selection

Several factors influence NHL cover player selections, including:

• Performance: Players who have recently had outstanding seasons or won major awards are prime candidates.
• Market Appeal: Publishers consider players with broad appeal and recognizable faces to maximize sales.
• Team Success: Players from successful teams are more likely to appear on covers to tap into their fanbase.
• Historical Significance: NHL legends or players who have made significant contributions to the sport may be chosen as covers.

Collector's Value

NHL game covers have become collectible items for many fans. The rarity, condition, and significance of the cover player can influence its value. According to the Hockey Reference database, some of the most valuable NHL covers include:

• Wayne Gretzky (NHL '93): $300-$500
• Mario Lemieux (NHL '96): $200-$300
• Alexander Ovechkin (NHL 2005): $150-$250
• Sidney Crosby (NHL 2007): $100-$200

Fan Perspectives and Discussion

The NHL Covers forum is a platform for fans to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest covers. Some common topics of discussion include:

• Debating the merits of cover players
• Predicting future cover selections
• Discussing the evolution of NHL cover art
• Sharing personal collections and experiences with NHL games

Stories and Lessons

Over the years, NHL covers have told countless stories and provided valuable lessons:

• Wayne Gretzky's Legacy: The Great One's dominance on NHL covers showcased his unequalled status as the sport's greatest player.
• The Rise of Superstars: NHL covers have played a role in elevating the profiles of young stars like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.
• The Importance of Marketing: The selection of cover players demonstrates the interplay between sports and business, as publishers aim to maximize audience reach and revenue.

How to Become a Collector

If you're interested in becoming an NHL cover collector, here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify Your Interests: Decide which covers you're most interested in, based on players, teams, or specific seasons.
2. Research and Plan: Learn about the history of NHL covers and the factors that influence their value.
3. Attend Events: Visit hockey events, trade shows, and online auctions to find covers.
4. Negotiate and Buy: Be prepared to negotiate with sellers and purchase covers within your budget.
5. Protect and Preserve: Store your covers in a safe and climate-controlled environment.

Pros and Cons of Collecting

Pros:

• Ownership of iconic pieces of hockey history
• Potential investment value
• Reliving memories and connecting with the game

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Requires storage space
• Authenticity can be difficult to verify

Tables

Table 1: NHL Cover Players by Year

Table 2: Most Valuable NHL Covers

Table 3: NHL Cover Players by Team