EA Sports welcomes you to the future of sports gaming with NHL 09. Building on NHL 08 - winner of seven 'Sports Game of the Year' awards - EA Sports continues to evolve the NHL series with innovative control enhancements, added depth and accessibility.NHL 09 brings 'Be A Pro' to the ice, which allows gamers to step on the ice as themselves through a dynamic camera angle in two compelling modes. In the single-player offline 'Be A Pro' Mode you will earn your own hockey card as you progress from the AHL to the NHL. NHL 09 will also be the first true console sports massively multiplayer online game allowing you to assemble a team online featuring your created player and five friends in the new EA Sports Hockey League.The Skill Stick system from the past two NHL games evolves yet again in NHL 09 to bring precision control to the defensive side of the puck. The all-new defensive skill stick gives you 360° control over your stick's movement. Block passing lanes, poke check more effectively and for the first time ever, lift an opponent's stick to prevent a shot.Take a proven formula, sprinkle on some innovation, throw in a whole new way to play and see for yourself why every EA Sports gamer will love NHL 09.