Professional Women’s Hockey League players and teams will soon be featured in NHL 25, EA Sports announced on Wednesday.
Launching Dec. 5, all six PWHL teams — the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres — will be integrated into the game as part of a multiyear partnership between the video game developer and the league.
“EA SPORTS is proud to support the PWHL, which has pioneered the growth of women’s hockey in North America,” Andrea Hopelain, the GM and senior vice president of publishing at EA Sports, said in a statement. “We look forward to working together to help elevate and grow women’s hockey to new and existing fans worldwide, starting by bringing PWHL teams and athletes to EA SPORTS NHL 25.”
Women’s hockey was first introduced in an NHL 22 update, with the inclusion of IIHF Women’s National Team members. The next year, Team Canada forward Sarah Nurse made history as the first women’s hockey player to be on the cover of an EA Sports NHL game as one of two cover athletes for NHL 23, alongside Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras.
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Still, the PWHL’s integration into the game is a significant first for the league heading into its second season.
“As someone who grew up playing the EA NHL franchise, I am honored that the next generation of women’s hockey players will have the opportunity to play the game as me and my teammates in the PWHL,” said Minnesota Frost forward Taylor Heise. “It is so meaningful that young girls will be able to see themselves in the game. It is a big milestone for inclusivity within the hockey community and shows that women’s prominence in hockey only continues to grow.”
PWHL franchises will be featured in the game’s play now, online versus, shootout and season modes. The PWHL’s newly released uniforms will be available in “World of Chel,” with players, logos and uniforms all available in “Hockey Ultimate Team.” The Walter Cup — the league’s championship trophy designed by luxury jeweler Tiffany and Co. — will also be in the game.
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According to an EA Sports press release, the NHL game will also launch 4 Nations Face-Off content early next year ahead of the international tournament featuring NHL stars from USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden.
(Photo courtesy of EA Sports)
