NHL 11

NHL 11
Developer(s)	EA Canada
Publisher(s)	EA Sports
Series	NHL series
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release	September 7, 2010
Genre(s)	Sports (ice hockey)
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer, Online multiplayer

NHL 11 will be the 20th ice hockey video game in the NHL series, celebrating the 20th anniversary for the long-running NHL series of video games. It is being developed by EA Canada and will be published by EA Sports. The game will, just like NHL 2K11 and NHL Slapshot, be released on September 7, 2010.

On 3 May 2010, a FAQ was released on the EA Sports website, regarding questions users will (or may) ask regarding the gameplay of the game before the game is released.

New expected clubs in the game are AIK Ishockey in Elitserien, which managed to qualify for the 2010–11 Elitserien season. This will mean that Rögle BK will be removed from the game, as they failed to qualify for the 2010–11 Elitserien season. Also included for the first time will be the sixty teams from the Canadian Hockey League. It is confirmed that CHL teams will also be a part of the Be A Pro and Be A GM modes, rather than simply being playable in "Play Now" games, like some of the European leagues.

Game cover

NHL 11 will feature Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. This marks the first time that the same team has boasted back-to-back cover athletes in EA's NHL series.

Sound track

As of June 19, 2010, no soundtrack for NHL 11 has been announced yet.

Gameplay

The game will include "over 200 gameplay refinements", just like what the predecessor NHL 10 did, including:

• Broken sticks and the ability to retain control of a stick-less player. The player will be able to kick or grab the puck, and teammates may offer their own stick as a replacement. Alternatively, the player may return to the bench for another stick.
• A new physics-based engine, unlike the previous engine, which was animation-based. This ensures that each bodycheck is unique, adding to the realism of the game.
• A revamped faceoff system, which introduces the ability to switch between standard or reversed grips, and to push or block the faceoff opponent. Timing will remain an important part of the faceoff process.
• Changes to the passing system in which passes are now triggered at the release of the trigger button, instead of the initial pull. The longer the button is held, the stronger the pass will be.

Other additions include user-controlled goal celebrations, disallowed goals and the players ability to jump over a player laying down on the ice.

Screenshots

• Screenshots of NHL 11
• 
  A Vancouver Canucks player breaking his stick when attempting to shoot
• Faceoff between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers
  Faceoff between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers
• A Colorado Avalanche player jumping over a Detroit Red Wings player laying down on the ice
  A Colorado Avalanche player jumping over a Detroit Red Wings player laying down on the ice

See also

• NHL Slapshot, another ice hockey video game by EA Sports, to be released for the Nintendo Wii
• NHL 2K11, another ice hockey video game for the Nintendo Wii, developed by Visual Concepts