NHL 11 to include CHL teams

Canadian Hockey League and EA Announce New Partnership, NHL 11 to Include All Teams and Players from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL

Posted on May 21, 2010 - 6:41pm EST

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in association with Electronic Arts Inc. today announced a four year agreement that will see the league included in EA SPORTS NHL products. The three regional leagues that make up the CHL, including the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), will all have their teams and players represented in EA SPORTS NHL 11 when it becomes available in retail stores this September.

“The CHL is very excited to partner with an industry leader like EA SPORTS to create a brand new way for CHL fans to associate with their favorite CHL teams and players,” said David Branch, President, CHL. “This opportunity also provides EA SPORTS fans around the world the ability to learn more about the next wave of NHL stars as they compete in the best development league in the world.”

“It’s exciting to have the CHL integrated into our game for the first time,” said Jordan Edelstein, VP of Marketing, EA SPORTS. “Their inclusion will make NHL 11 the most definitive and complete hockey experience available.”

Four of the last five players to be featured on the cover of EA SPORTS NHL Series games are CHL graduates including Patrick Kane, Dion Phaneuf, Eric Staal and Vincent Lecavalier.

The licensing agreement between EA SPORTS and the CHL allows the following to be included in NHL 11:

Ability to play with all 60 teams that make up the CHL
Names and Likenesses of players that are on the rosters of a CHL team
Mastercard Memorial Cup
CHL new RBK Edge Jersey design in NHL 11
WHL, OHL and QMJHL logos and league structures

The CHL integration in NHL 11 will tie to several modes in the game, including Be A Pro, Be A GM, Tournament Mode, Season Mode and Playoff Mode.

NHL 11 will be available for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system with an MSRP of $59.99. It is developed by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.