Alexander Ovechkin Announced as NHL 21 Cover Athlete in Reveal Trailer

Adam Wells @adamwells1985Featured ColumnistAugust 24, 2020

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, stands on the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Nick Wass/Associated Press

For the second time in his career, Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin will grace the cover of EA Sports' NHL video game.

The three-time Hart Trophy winner was revealed as the cover athlete for NHL 21 on Monday:

EA SPORTS NHL @EASPORTSNHL
Recognize Greatness with #NHL21 available worldwide October 16th 🏒🎮 Pre-order now 👉 https://t.co/Jw6GQdvPOZ https://t.co/FKCoVdDEJH

EA SPORTS NHL @EASPORTSNHL
Recognize Greatness with The Great Eight himself 🏒🔥 @ovi8 is your #NHL21 global cover athlete! 💪 https://t.co/OdToWCZU0O

EA Sports previously confirmed this year's game would be released "a little later this year," due in part to difficulties with development stemming from the coronavirus pandemic but also to finish "the polish, fine-tuning and bug fixing."

The game has historically been released in mid- to late September.

Even though EA also announced it won't be releasing updated versions for next-gen consoles when those are released later this year, it can still be played on those systems with forward compatibility.

Ovechkin previously served as the cover star for NHL 07. He is one of only two active players with multiple covers, with the other being Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (NHL 11 and NHL 16).

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