EA's NHL series to include Canadian Hockey League

By Hector Cortez May 24, 2010, 11:39 GMT

The Canadian Hockey League in association with EA today announced a four year agreement that will see the league included in EA SPORTS NHL products.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in association with Electronic Arts 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.

Representing 51 Canadian and nine American teams with players aged 16-20 the CHL is the top development league in the world and the number one provider of talent to the NHL. 47% of all players selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft came from CHL teams.

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 later this year for PS3 and Xbox 360.