Dion Phaneuf is the NHL 09 cover athlete

by pastapadre
Posted June 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

The Calgary Sun has revealed that Dion Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames will be the cover athlete for NHL 09. The first news on the game was released the other day however the cover remained a mystery until now. Apparently EA Sports has chosen Phaneuf, a defenseman, to spotlight the improvements that have been made to checking and defensive plays.

As one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL, as well as being widely regarded as the league’s hardest hitter, Phaneuf was deemed the perfect choice for this year’s version of the game, which will feature more realistic checks and deeper defensive controls.

NHL 09 will also feature a new tutorial mode to teach players not only the game’s controls, but hockey strategies in general. Littman said it’s a way of helping newcomers get into the action without dumbing down the game for veteran players.

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Eski

I have no argument other than Nick Lidstrom is year-in and year-out the most consistent defenseman in the NHL. Not to mention that he was captain of this year’s Stanley Cup champs…

Ah well….Hopefully NHL includes classic teams and hopefully the possiblity of having NHL 94 included (with The Whalers)
Eski

I have no argument other than Nick Lidstrom is year-in and year-out the most consistent defenseman in the NHL. Not to mention that he was captain of this year’s Stanley Cup champs…

Ah well….Hopefully NHL includes classic teams and hopefully the possiblity of having NHL 94 included (with The Whalers)
StEaLtH ShOt

Shocker! Nah good choice if their going for defense hope they fix the checking and keeping the puck in the zone and just the little things.
StEaLtH ShOt

Shocker! Nah good choice if their going for defense hope they fix the checking and keeping the puck in the zone and just the little things.
Bobby

Needs more Mike Richards.
Bobby

Needs more Mike Richards.
adam

who?
adam

who?
Anthony

I’m a big Flames fan, so I’ve heard of him a few times, lol. I wasn’t shocked. The trailer started out with the Flames, which I found odd, and he was showed so I thought this might happen.

Please no EA curse.
Anthony

I’m a big Flames fan, so I’ve heard of him a few times, lol. I wasn’t shocked. The trailer started out with the Flames, which I found odd, and he was showed so I thought this might happen.

Please no EA curse.
Eaven

sydney crosby is the better choice
Eaven

sydney crosby is the better choice
zhawk18

Good choice, awesome that there will be defensive plays.
zhawk18

Good choice, awesome that there will be defensive plays.
TwistaDuck

I don’t follow hockey, like AT ALL. But honestly, I’m kinda excited to try this game out. The last hockey game I’ve played was NHL ’94 for Super Nintendo. NHL 09 might be a winner for me because of the “Rookie Friendly” Tutorial feature. It might give me a better understanding and more respect for the game of hockey.
TwistaDuck

I don’t follow hockey, like AT ALL. But honestly, I’m kinda excited to try this game out. The last hockey game I’ve played was NHL ’94 for Super Nintendo. NHL 09 might be a winner for me because of the “Rookie Friendly” Tutorial feature. It might give me a better understanding and more respect for the game of hockey.
Ryan

Whalers for life. They shoulda gone with the 6’9 beast Chara if they are focusing on D…not a bad choice though.
Ryan

Whalers for life. They shoulda gone with the 6’9 beast Chara if they are focusing on D…not a bad choice though.
Maurice N.

Ok choice would have preferred a Penguin, but this was a sleeper for me had no idea Phaneuf would be chosen
Maurice N.

Ok choice would have preferred a Penguin, but this was a sleeper for me had no idea Phaneuf would be chosen
Shaun

Crosby needed to be the cover boy for NHL 09. He is the face of the NHL. Phaneuf plays in the Western Conference in Calgary, what have they done the last few years ?
Shaun

Crosby needed to be the cover boy for NHL 09. He is the face of the NHL. Phaneuf plays in the Western Conference in Calgary, what have they done the last few years ?
Roaddoglive

Hey Pasta,

Its a little over a month away from the release of NCAA 09 and I have yet to read anything about dynasty mode………Is it more difficult to get information this year? Because the more I see hockey news the less interested I get in coming to your website…….

By the way, keep up the good work; I do enjoy all the work you put into this website.
Roaddoglive

Hey Pasta,

Its a little over a month away from the release of NCAA 09 and I have yet to read anything about dynasty mode………Is it more difficult to get information this year? Because the more I see hockey news the less interested I get in coming to your website…….

By the way, keep up the good work; I do enjoy all the work you put into this website.
Ryan

^ Why did you even leave a comment here? What a tool.
Ryan

^ Why did you even leave a comment here? What a tool.
jswollman

I think it’s the the greatest choice they made. We need more defencive players like Phaneuf.Nick lidstrom doesnt even come close to that guy.
jswollman

I think it’s the the greatest choice they made. We need more defencive players like Phaneuf.Nick lidstrom doesnt even come close to that guy.
Flamesfan91

Hey Shaun, Phaneuf is an amazing defenceman, he is going to be playing in Vancouver in 2010 i’d be willing to bet my life on it. And what has Calgary done in the past few years? Why dont we take a look back to 2004 when they made it to the Cup finals and ‘won’ in game 6, A goal scored by Gelinas that was clearly over the line in overtime that should have won them the stanley cup. Look back at replays it is a CLEAR goal.
Flamesfan91

Hey Shaun, Phaneuf is an amazing defenceman, he is going to be playing in Vancouver in 2010 i’d be willing to bet my life on it. And what has Calgary done in the past few years? Why dont we take a look back to 2004 when they made it to the Cup finals and ‘won’ in game 6, A goal scored by Gelinas that was clearly over the line in overtime that should have won them the stanley cup. Look back at replays it is a CLEAR goal.
nyr2k2

Phaneuf is an excellent choice if EA is emphasizing new defensive controls in this iteration. And for those clamoring for Crosby, because he’s the face of the NHL– who cares? No one is going to buy the game just because his face is on it!
nyr2k2

Phaneuf is an excellent choice if EA is emphasizing new defensive controls in this iteration. And for those clamoring for Crosby, because he’s the face of the NHL– who cares? No one is going to buy the game just because his face is on it!
B

yea shaun is clearly an idiot
B

yea shaun is clearly an idiot