Most Recent Players To Be on the Cover of EA NHL

The dust has settled from the brief “controversy” related to the announcement of who would be on the cover of this year’s EA NHL video game. 

Some fans were upset by the decision to feature Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk, as well as their father, Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk, on the cover of NHL 2026. 

The Tkachuks carry a reputation — you can quibble over whether it’s a good one or a bad one — because of their crap-stirring antics on the ice, and, in some part, their political leanings. But you can’t quibble over the fact that Matthew is one of the faces of the NHL today and, at least, a top 20 player in the league. 

Whether or not EA’s decision was the best one, it’s gotten fans talking about the new game, which is probably the point, right? 

It certainly generated more conversation than other recent choices, to the extent that it probably bears repeating exactly who the most recent cover athletes were for EA’s NHL game. 

Most Recent Players To Be on the Cover of EA NHL

Quinn, Luke, and Jack Hughes – NHL 25

This is the second year in a row that EA has gone with the family angle. 

While none have won a Stanley Cup, the Hughes brothers probably rival the Tkachuk brothers in terms of pure individual accomplishments.

Quinn is a two-time All-Star defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks. The year he was featured on the cover of the NHL game, he won the 2024 Norris Trophy award. 

Luke is a defenseman with the Devils and appeared on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2024. 

Jack, a center for New Jersey, is one of the best young players in the NHL right now. At 24 years old, he’s already appeared in three All-Star games. He was named to the Four Nations team this season but was unable to play due to injury. In the season prior to being put on the cover of NHL 2025 with his brothers, Jack had 27 goals and 47 assists in 62 games played. 

Cale Makar – NHL 24

One of the game’s other best young players is Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who was chosen for the cover of the NHL 24 game. 

At just 26 years old, Makar has already had an incredibly decorated career. He’s a three-time All-Star, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a former Calder Trophy winner, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. 

Makar was part of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship team. 

Before being selected to appear on the cover of NHL 24, Makar had a 66-point season, with 17 goals and 49 assists. 

Trevor Zegras, Sarah Nurse – NHL 23

The NHL 23 cover made history, with Sarah Nurse becoming the first female hockey player to be featured on the game’s cover. 

Before being chosen to appear on the cover, Nurse had an illustrious career, playing college hockey with the Wisconsin Badgers and representing Team Canada on the international level. 

Nurse won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. She has also won two gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships. 

Also featured on the cover was rising young star Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks. Zegras was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team after his 2022 season. Before being put on the cover, he had a 65-point season with 23 goals and 42 assists. 

Nurse joined the PWHL Toronto franchise, now named the Toronto Scepters, when the league formed in 2023. This offseason, Zegras was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Auston Matthews — NHL 22

While he’s currently the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews was already one of the best players of his generation when he was selected to be on the cover of the NHL 22 game. 

It was his second time being on the cover of the game after first being featured for NHL 20. 

Matthews is a seven-time All-Star and won the Hart Trophy in 2022. He also served as the captain for Team USA at the Four Nations tournament earlier this year. 

Matthews had a league-leading 41 goals in the season before he was selected to be on the cover of EA’s game.