TORONTO -- Olympic gold medallist, Stanley Cup champion, Conn Smythe Award winner. And now video game cover boy.
It's been quite a year for Jonathan Toews.
The 22-year-old Chicago Blackhawks captain was announced as the cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 11 video game on Monday.
"It's been an amazing year for me and the team, and it's nice to end it by being a part of a game I played growing up," Toews said in a statement. "The NHL games have always been great, so it's an honour for me to be a part of the EA Sports family."
He follows in the footsteps of teammate Patrick Kane, who was the face of last year's game. It's the first time that EA Sports has put a player from the same team back to back on the cover of the game.
No doubt EA is hoping that Toews' exploits remain on the ice.
Kane made headlines for the wrong reasons last summer. The young Hawks star pleaded guilty to a non-criminal charge of disorderly conduct and was ordered to send an apology to the cab driver he and his cousin were accused of roughing up over 20 cents.
EA talked up Toews in its release.
"Jonathan Toews is one of the best centres in the NHL today," said Jordan Edelstein, vice-president of marketing for EA Sports. "He is a great ambassador for the sport of hockey and his impact on the sport this year is undeniable."
EA Sports is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its popular NHL franchise.
The made-in-B.C. title is due out in September.
Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks will adorn the cover of the rival NHL 2K11 video game.
