Tech Blog

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Electronic Arts announced today that they’ve come to an agreement with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to include all the teams and players from the OHL, WHL and QMJHL in this year’s NHL 11 game. That’s 60 teams in total (51 Canadian, nine American), with all the names and likenesses of the players that will play in the 2010-11 season.

It’s fitting that this announcement comes as the Memorial Cup tournament reaches its apex. Top prospect, Taylor Hall, will be playing in the final with the Windsor Spitfires, and as I write this, his team is waiting for the winner between host Brandon and the Calgary Hitmen. It’s a four-year deal, so this isn’t just a one-shot. If it goes well, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an extension.

It’s an interesting move for EA, who plan to integrate the junior leagues with the existing modes in NHL 11, like Be A Pro, Be A GM, Tournament Mode, Season Mode and Playoff Mode. My guess is that this will include the ability to start the season with junior players you drafted and decide whether you want to keep them or send them back to junior or an AHL affiliate.

I look forward to actually playing the Memorial Cup, too, since I love its format. I do wonder if EA will actually go as far as designing all those WHL rinks, but I’m sure they’ll keep it pretty generic in the stands, and put all the proper artwork on the ice.

Aside from this, EA didn’t announce anything else about NHL 11, so if there are new features or modes, we’ll have to wait a while longer to hear about them.