NHL 2k10 Cover Athlete: Alex Ovechkin
2k Sports wastes no time, do they? Just a single day after the 2009 hockey season officially concluded (with a parade for my Pittsburgh Penguins, in Pittsburgh). The video game company, which apparently is always looking forward, has announced its 2010 cover athlete, Washington Capitals Forward Alex Ovechkin. News from PlanetBox360,
2K Sports announced today that Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, the 2009 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Award winner and Hart Memorial Trophy candidate, will be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for the next iteration of the popular NHL 2K franchise, NHL® 2K10.
In celebration of the announcement, Ovechkin will be participating in 2K Sports’ first-ever outdoor hockey motion capture session tonight in the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from 8:30-11:30pm PT. The open-air rink recalls the September 27, 1991, LA Kings vs. New York Rangers hockey showdown when Wayne Gretzky led the Kings to victory in a similarly unusual and picturesque open-air setting at the famed Las Vegas resort. Joining Ovechkin on the ice will be Vancouver Canucks center and 2009 Selke Trophy finalist, Ryan Kesler, along with play-by-play commentator for the San Jose Sharks, Randy Hahn, who will act as host MC. Only media will be allowed into the rink area for this private event, as synthetic ice will be laid down to create a special hockey rink and 2K Sports’ game producers will put Ovechkin through a number of dynamic drills to capture his signature style data for NHL 2K10.
As far as interesting hockey figures go, Ovechkin has to be at, or very close to, the top of the list. Even though I’m required to hate him when he plays the Penguins, I have to admire the fact that he always seems to be genuinely enjoying himself on the ice. A great, if not obvious choice by 2k sports to use the guy who is arguably the most charismatic hockey figure for the cover of their game. And, in case you’re wondering, Ovechkin has appeared on video game covers before (see EA Sports NHL ’09). As an aside, How many casual sports fans can name 10 hockey players? Again, not that Ovi isn’t a great choice, but how often are hockey game creators pigeonholed into choosing from a very short list of people due to the fact that no casual fan will know any of the more obscure players? Speaks a lot about the popularity of the NHL and its players, does it not?
PlanetBox360 — Alex Ovechkin Announced as cover athlete for NHL 2K10
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Hockey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Congrats to Alex O. He is a good guy to be on the cover! Too bad he doesn’t have a team that can compete every year. I am sure it is just a matter of time before he gets a supporting cast which will give the Pens a run for their money every year!
Speaks a lot about the popularity of the NHL and its players, does it not?”
I can’t help but wonder if it’s that Hockey does not have the fan base or if its players are not as obnoxious off the ice as other athletes. Do we know most athletes because the are good or because they are notorious?