No new cover announced
Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane has legal troubles, as he’s the subject of a recent rape allegation. The incident allegedly took place at Kane’s lakefront home in Hamburg, New York last week, though he has not yet been charged with a crime.
Kane was set to appear on the cover of NHL 16, but in light of this situation, EA has made the decision to skate away from those plans. In a tweet, EA Sports stated that Kane will no longer grace the cover of NHL 16, nor will he be involved in promotional activities for the game.
NHL 16 was going to be the first time that two players were featured as cover athletes. The original box art was to feature Kane and teammate Jonathan Toews hoisting the Stanley Cup together. EA Sports has not yet announced who will appear on the new cover art.
This isn’t the first time EA Sports has had to change course with regard to NHL box art. In 2004, Joe Thornton was scheduled to be the cover star, but was erased because of his own assault charges. Atlanta Thrashers star Dany Heatley took over; shortly after the game shipped, Heatley was involved in a car crash that killed teammate Dan Snyder. EA Sports again switched cover stars to feature Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic, but an initial shipment of Heatley boxes had already made their way to stores.
@EASPORTSNHL [Twitter via Polygon]
