EA Sports made huge strides in the hockey world last year with NHL 08. The game took home Sports Game of the Year honors, but even then EA was not done. They promised to make NHL 09 even better. A number of great sports titles have come from EA this year. Madden is the most realistic looking football game to date; NCAA 09 brought Online Dynasties, a revolutionary new feature that keeps players glued to the game; Tiger Woods brought simultaneous play reducing online play times greatly and adding to the enjoyment of playing on the EA servers.

With all the great games this year, and the amount of hype this game received pre-release, could EA deliver on such lofty promises? What would be the ground-breaking new mode to follow in the path of the Online Dynasty and Simultaneous play? EA Sports somehow managed to top last year’s title and deliver one of the most truly innovative modes to a sports game ever: The EA Sports Hockey League.

Before jumping directly into the EA Sports Hockey League, there are many other modes that NHL 09 offers. Before the main menu is even presented, the game starts by having you create your own player. Whether you choose to create a likeness of yourself or just make an imaginary player, the game has many options as far as equipment. Choosing the right stick and stick flex can mean the difference between hitting the corner of the net and shooting over the top. After your player is created, the game begins a tutorial, explaining the controls. If you are new to the series or just want to improve your understanding of the control scheme, this is a good addition.

The character you now create can be used in Be-A-Pro mode, something that FIFA soccer players will recognize. In this mode, you control just your created player and attempt to rise through the ranks, starting in the AHL (the minor league of the NHL) and trying to work your way to the top. You are given attributes to distribute, improving many of your player’s abilities. In this mode, the camera is placed strategically behind the created player to attempt to allow the user to see what the player would see on the ice. This can be changed, as some people may struggle with the low camera angle, but it truly helps contribute to the on-ice atmosphere.

Your created player will sub in and out just like in a real game, and the manager lays out goals for you to accomplish throughout the season. Completing these goals gives your player more attribute points and allows you to increase his abilities on the ice.  After each game, the player is given a report card. This consists of three different grades, Position Score, which is determined by how well you stay where you should be, Team Play, which judges things like passing percentage, turnovers, and penalties, and Stats, which is mainly determined by goals or assists (or saves if you are a goalie). Perform poorly and your player will stay in the AHL; play well, and you may get moved up to a better line or even get called up to the NHL.

The EA Sports Hockey League combines aspects of Online Team Play and Be-A-Pro, as your created player can be picked to play for a team online. This team can then play other teams of created players (up to 6 v 6) to try to become the EASHL Champion. The teams are separated into divisions based on how the team has performed, with the ultimate goal being the top team in Division 1. Attributes are not the same in the EASHL as in Be-A-Pro; attributes are earned by completing different tasks, such as playing in 50 games online. With the large number of teams, anyone can find a team to suit them, whether they are a casual player or someone who wants to be the best.

Be-A-Pro and the EASHL are the two main modes of the game, but there are many more. I won’t go into much detail about Dynasty Mode, because I don’t honestly know if EA changed anything about it since last year. The mode is almost entirely the same, but if you are looking to build your favorite team into a powerhouse, this is the mode for you. Online ranked play is back, allowing users to go 1-on-1 to determine who the best in the world is. Online team play is back, and now has stat tracking, something that was missing from 08. A number of teams from around the world are available in the game, including all teams from the NHL, AHL, Eliteserien, SM-Liiga, Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Czech Extraliga, and for the first time, the Russian league, the KHL.

The controls are very similar to last year with 3 key new features. The skill stick has been improved on defense, allowing players to lift an opponent’s stick, something that is very prevalent in the NHL. Also added were one-handed dekes, which look cool when pulled off, but are somewhat difficult to perform. The last addition is the flip dump, contributing another piece of the simulation style game play. Many NHL teams utilize the dump and chase method on offense, and it can now be done by holding RB and flicking the right stick up. The commentary this year is the same, with Gary Thorne and Bill Clement laying down solid voice work. Graphically this game has made a few strides, adding to crowd detail and touching up on ice visuals.

After all the accolades NHL 08 received, the team working on NHL 09 could’ve slacked off and made a carbon-copy of last year’s game. They set their goal high and achieved it, NHL 09 improved on the success of its predecessor and created a unique experience with the EA Sports Hockey league. This game is a must-have for all hockey fans.

For more verdicts on EA’s latest hockey title, be sure to check out the reviews and scores over at TestFreaks.com.