Dion Phaneuf Selected for Cover of EA Sports "NHL 09"

Electronic Arts Inc. announced yesterday that Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf will be the cover athlete and spokesman for NHL® 09. With just three NHL seasons under his belt, Dion Phaneuf has been nominated for the 2007-2008 Norris Trophy, is a two-time All-Star, and has put up 159 points thus far in his short NHL career. Phaneuf is joined by some of the NHL's biggest international stars on packaging across Europe, including Alexander Ovechkin (Russia) and Daniel Alfredsson (Sweden). NHL 09 is being developed under the EA SPORTSâ„¢ brand by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C and will be available worldwide this September. "It is an incredible honor to be named to the cover of NHL 09," said Phaneuf. "I've been a really big fan of the franchise for as long as I can remember and am looking forward to being the face of the game this year, particularly because of the significant improvements that have been made to the defensive game and the new checking engine."Player Territory Team Dion Phaneuf* Worldwide Calgary Flames Alexander Ovechkin Russia Washington Capitals Daniel Alfredsson Sweden Ottawa Senators *with the exception of the countries named below As the successor to the critically acclaimed NHL 08, winner of seven sports game of the year awards, NHL 09 builds on the momentum of last year, with innovative controls, added depth and new features designed to help newcomers jump into the series.The revolutionary Skill Stick System evolves to bring an unparalleled level of control to the defensive side of the puck. The all new Defensive Skill Stick gives you the ability to sweep your stick to block passing lanes and lift an opponent's stick to prevent one-timers. Take your game online with 6 vs.6 team play, where 12 people can play together on 12 different consoles around the world. With new teams from the Russian, Czech Republic and German Elite leagues, NHL 09 connects hockey fans around the globe like never before.Players new to the series can now shoot, pass and check with ease. NHL 09 features Be A Pro, a game mode that will put you on the ice with a dynamic new 3rd person camera that allows you to play the role of one player. With a performance tracker grading your progress in more than 50 categories, you will know exactly where you need to improve to become the next NHL superstar.Source: EA, Inc.  OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK MASN Wins Second Arbitration with Time Warner Cable - The Biz of Baseball Fantasy Sports Case Ends... For Now - The Biz of Baseball Varitek, Mauer Battle for All-Star Game Starting Catcher - The Biz of Baseball Waxman Calls MLB Testimony on PEDs into Question - The Biz of Baseball Biz of Baseball Organizational Report - San Diego Padres - The Biz of Baseball Study Finds Synthetic Turf Safe Under Normal Use - The Biz of Baseball Judge Rules on Motions Filed in Sonics Trial - The Biz of Basketball AEG Reaches 5-Year Agreement with Blazers to Run Rose Garden Arena - The Biz of Basketball Celtics Build 24 Point Lead, Survive Huge Lakers Rally to Win Game Two, 108-102 - The Biz of Basketball Suns Hire Pistons Assistant Porter to Be Next Head Coach - The Biz of Basketball Sonics Owner: Team Would Lose $60M if it Stayed - The Biz of Basketball Cowboys Stadium Site Allows Fans to View Their Seat Before They Buy Tickets - The Biz of Football Former NFL Steroids Dealer Found Shot to Death - The Biz of Football Cowboys, Bank of America Extend Sponsorship Deal - The Biz of Football Bucs TE Jerramy Stevens Suspended for Violating NFL's Substance Abuse Policy - The Biz of Football SEE IT: Dancing with the Stars? Indy Car Driver Helio Castroneves Visits T.O. and the Cowboys - The Biz of Football SHOWTIME, and CBS Sports to Bring "Inside the NFL" to SHOWTIME in September - The Biz of Football New Cowboys Stadium to Feature NFL's First Center-Hung Scoreboard - The Biz of Football Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network. more...