An NHL Cover Forum: The Past, Present, and Future of Hockey's Prestigious Honor

The National Hockey League (NHL) cover is one of the most coveted honors in professional sports. It is a symbol of greatness, and it is given to the player who is considered to be the best in the game. Over the years, there have been many great players who have graced the cover of the NHL video game, and each one has brought their own unique style to the ice.

The History of the NHL Cover

The first NHL video game was released in 1991, and it featured Mario Lemieux on the cover. Lemieux was one of the most dominant players in the NHL at the time, and he was a perfect choice to be the face of the game. Since then, there have been many other great players who have been featured on the cover of the NHL video game, including Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, and Alex Ovechkin.

The Selection Process

The process of selecting the NHL cover player is a closely guarded secret. However, it is believed that the NHL and EA Sports consider a number of factors when making their decision, including the player's on-ice performance, their marketability, and their popularity with fans.

The Impact of the NHL Cover

Being featured on the cover of the NHL video game is a major honor, and it can have a significant impact on a player's career. It can help to raise their profile, increase their marketability, and earn them more endorsements. In addition, it can also help to inspire young players to follow in their footsteps.

The Future of the NHL Cover

The NHL cover is a constantly evolving phenomenon. As the game of hockey changes, so too does the way that the cover is chosen. In recent years, there has been a trend towards featuring younger players on the cover, and this trend is likely to continue in the years to come.

The Top 10 NHL Cover Players of All Time

1. Wayne Gretzky (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
2. Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
3. Sidney Crosby (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
4. Alex Ovechkin (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
5. Connor McDavid (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
6. Patrick Roy (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
7. Jaromir Jagr (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
8. Brett Hull (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
9. Joe Sakic (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
10. Paul Kariya (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)

The Best NHL Cover Games of All Time

1. NHL 94 (1993)
2. NHL 95 (1994)
3. NHL 96 (1995)
4. NHL 97 (1996)
5. NHL 98 (1997)
6. NHL 99 (1998)
7. NHL 2000 (1999)
8. NHL 2001 (2000)
9. NHL 2002 (2001)
10. NHL 2003 (2002)

The Future of NHL Video Games

The future of NHL video games is bright. EA Sports is constantly innovating, and they are always looking for new ways to improve the game. In recent years, there have been a number of major changes to the game, including the introduction of the Hybrid Engine and the World of CHEL. These changes have made the game more realistic and more fun to play, and they have helped to attract a new generation of fans.

Conclusion

The NHL cover is a prestigious honor that is given to the best player in the game. Over the years, there have been many great players who have graced the cover of the NHL video game, and each one has brought their own unique style to the ice. The future of the NHL cover is bright, and it is sure to continue to be a major honor for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is the most featured player on the NHL cover?
  Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are tied for the most featured player on the NHL cover, with five appearances each.
• What is the best NHL cover game of all time?
  NHL 94 is widely considered to be the best NHL cover game of all time.
• What is the future of NHL video games?
  The future of NHL video games is bright. EA Sports is constantly innovating, and they are always looking for new ways to improve the game.