REDWOOD, Calif. - Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf will be the main cover boy for Electronic Arts' "NHL 09" video game.
The 23-year-old follows Eric Staal on the cover.
"I've been a really big fan of the franchise for as long as I can remember and am looking forward to being the face of the game this year," he said in a statement.
Phaneuf is a two-time all-star and a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman this season.
Only two countries will sell games with a player other than him on the cover. Alex Ovechkin will be on boxes in Russia while Daniel Alfredsson will appear in Sweden.
NHL 09 is the 17th version of the EA NHL hockey franchise, and is being developed by the company's Vancouver studio. It will be released in September.
Other players to be featured solely on the cover in the past include Peter Forsberg, Mario Lemieux, Ovechkin, Jarome Iginla, Joe Sakic, Markus Naslund and Vincent Lecavalier.
