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The NHL 24 Cover Athlete has been officially revealed. This marks the beginning of the build-up to the new game, and there is plenty in store for fans of the hockey series. This means that we will see loads of new information about NHL 24 in the coming weeks as we count down to launch.
The full cover athlete reveal should coincide with the confirmation of the NHL 24 release date later this week. With more information set to arrive, the EA Sports cover athlete reveal is just the tip of the iceberg.
Cale Makar revealed as NHL 24 Cover Athlete
NHL 23 made some huge strides last year, with the biggest addition consisting of having a Women’s professional hockey player on the cover of an NHL video game for the very first time. Alongside Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras, NHL 23 had Women’s Canadian National Team star Sarah Nurse on the cover as well.
In NHL 24, just one hockey superstar fronts the cover. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will feature on the Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition of the game. While there is little information available, we are sure to find out more in the coming days, including pre-order editions, price, and early access period among other things.
A former Rookie of the Year, Makar is just the third defenseman in the past 20 years to make the cover of the game. To top it off, Makar is the fastest defenseman to reach 200 points in NHL history, so seeing him front the cover of the game is little surprise to anyone. The man is simply a superstar.
“I grew up playing the game with my brother, family, and friends,” said Makar, when asked what it’s like to be the cover athlete during a group interview hosted by EA that VideoGamer attended. “But I never really thought this was in the realm of being possible and I’m just super honored to be considered for this and be a part of this whole process.“
Who missed out?
With Makar announced as the lead athlete for NHL 24, these players must have come close.
1. Connor McDavid (C) – Edmonton Oilers
Seeing how elite and dominant Connor McDavid was yet again over the 2023 regular season, he must have been close to making it on the cover. McDavid, who’s 26-years-old, led the league in goals (64), assists (89), power play assists (50) and finished second in power play goals (21). Seriously, what can’t he do.
To add to that, McDavid hasn’t been on an NHL cover since NHL 18. Considering it has been a little while since the star man was on the cover for the first time, it wouldn’t have come to a surprise if the 2023 Hart Memorial Trophy Winner was back for a second appearance this year. Alas, McDavid could not prevent his side from losing out to eventual Stanley Cup winners the Vegas Golden Knights. Maybe next year, Connor!
2. Linus Ullmark (G) – Boston Bruins
A goalie as the cover athlete? Linus Ullmark was very special last season, so much so that he won both the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy. Leading all goalkeepers in goals against average (1.89), save percentage (.938), while tying Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev in first with wins (40), the Bruins were the best team in hockey over the 2023 season for good reason.
Having the best goalie in the league certainly helped the Bruins. Moreover, NHL hasn’t had a goalie featured on the cover of its game since Martin Brodeur who was featured on it for NHL 14. Though that is quite the legend to follow suit, Ullmark did have a historic season after all, and it would have been fitting to have him on the cover.
3. Jack Hughes (C) – New Jersey Devils
The Devils have been a team in limbo for quite some time, and finally last season, showed everyone just how dangerous they can be. Offensively, the Devils are led by their 22-year-old star Jack Hughes, who delivered one huge breakout performance to help lead the Devils back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
With 43 goals and 56 assists to his name, Hughes highlighted his greatness in a big way and put forth a game changing performance for the New Jersey Devils this season. Seeing as NHL 23 honored another youngster in Trevor Zegras last year, having Hughes on the cover for NHL 24 would have reflected that trend.
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