NHL 16 Cover Athlete Revealed and many more details announced

At the 2015 NHL Awards in Las Vegas last week we saw the announcement to have two NHL stars displayed on the latest NHL game coming out this September. With the dominance that the Chicago Blackhawks have had over the last six years it was only fitting to put their Captain Jonathan Toews and elite star Patrick Kane on the cover holding the Stanley Cup.

NHL 16 will only be released this time around on Xbox One and PS4 with the older generation consoles still getting an NHL game, it just won’t be as beefed up as the Xbox One and PS4 versions.

In NHL 16, we will see the return of EASHL which is the fan favorite online league team play with improved player and team skill being included in this year’s version. If playing in an online league isn’t your cup of tea, you can always try your hand at Be a Player Mode or Be a GM Mode which also return with new and improved features.

In Be a GM Mode you will now have to manage all of your different players personalities and keep up the morale with your NHL and AHL affiliate teams. You must also deal with trade demands set by the players and will be able to call team meetings to discuss certain things behind closed doors.

Be a Pro Mode brings us a new progression system that influences your attributes earned with the actions you make on the ice. As you work your way through the CHL as a rookie your actions on the ice will determine your legacy and the path you take to make your way to being an NHL Superstar.

Arena authenticity improves a lot with the inclusion of arena effects, props, team celebrations, mascots, chants and even signature props we see from around the league at NHL games.

One mode I am very happy to see the return of is the online couch co-op. This was omitted from last year’s NHL game but with the addition of it this year I will be ready to play with up to four players in my living room against another set of warriors online. Best way to practice for EASHL is to play this mode with friends.

Along with the many more upgrades to graphics, precession skating, puck control and stick handling we also see playoff beards making it’s debut to NHL 16. As your team progresses through the playoffs you will notice your beards growing as they would in a real Stanley Cup Playoff tournament. NHL 16 will deliver accurate styles, length, growth and thickness on the NHL stars with the beards. The road to the NHL Stanley Cup just got a little hairier.

NHL 16 comes to Xbox One and PS4 on September 15, 2015.