Nina Pirogova celebrates a goal in NHL 22.
Today, the IIHF together with EA SPORTS have officially introduced playable women’s teams and full rosters to NHL 22 for the very first time with the inclusion of international women’s teams and the IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in the latest patch update for the popular ice hockey video game.
Starting today, players can take the ice with female icons such as Team Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin, Team USA’s Hilary Knight, Finland’s Jenni Hiirikoski, Japan’s Akane Hosomayada, Switzerland’s Lara Stalder, and many more across a number of modes.
Starting today, players can take the ice with female icons such as Team Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin, Team USA’s Hilary Knight, Finland’s Jenni Hiirikoski, Japan’s Akane Hosomayada, Switzerland’s Lara Stalder, and many more across a number of modes.
“It has been such a privilege to lace up my digital skates for the very first time in NHL 22, and to get to do so while playing for my country makes it all the more surreal,” said Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin. “Representation matters, and I’m thrilled that every young girl who picks up a controller to play NHL 22 can feel like hockey is a sport for her, too.”
“We have taken a positive step today to ensure stronger representation for women in ice hockey’s digital landscape,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. ”I would like to thank our Member National Associations for their strong support of the project, and EA Sports for their interest and commitment to realizing this objective.”
The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is also now playable as part of this latest update. Sixteen international men’s teams and ten international women’s teams have been added to NHL 22, each of which is playable in a variety of game modes, including Play Now, Online VS, Threes Now and Shootout, along with their respective World Championship modes. More countries are expected to be added in the upcoming seasons.
The IIHF Men’s and Women’s teams follow the introduction of the prestigious IIHF World Junior Championship, which was added last month alongside various federations, logos and uniforms being available in Ultimate Team and World of Chel.
“The introduction of this latest IIHF content to NHL 22 continues the franchise’s evolution to reflect the growing diversity of its fanbase,” said Sean Ramjagsingh, VP and GM, EA SPORTS. “We’re so proud to showcase this stellar talent from around the world—and in particular, the women’s international teams—as they make their Chel debut.”
This joint project with EA Sports is a further step towards the IIHF’s vision to raise the women´s game in terms of participation, awareness, and professionalism. The IIHF continues to work with all stakeholders to take concrete actions, to empower and develop girls and women in ice hockey, and to unleash the passion for the women’s game at all levels, whether on the ice or virtually.
“We have taken a positive step today to ensure stronger representation for women in ice hockey’s digital landscape,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. ”I would like to thank our Member National Associations for their strong support of the project, and EA Sports for their interest and commitment to realizing this objective.”
The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is also now playable as part of this latest update. Sixteen international men’s teams and ten international women’s teams have been added to NHL 22, each of which is playable in a variety of game modes, including Play Now, Online VS, Threes Now and Shootout, along with their respective World Championship modes. More countries are expected to be added in the upcoming seasons.
The IIHF Men’s and Women’s teams follow the introduction of the prestigious IIHF World Junior Championship, which was added last month alongside various federations, logos and uniforms being available in Ultimate Team and World of Chel.
“The introduction of this latest IIHF content to NHL 22 continues the franchise’s evolution to reflect the growing diversity of its fanbase,” said Sean Ramjagsingh, VP and GM, EA SPORTS. “We’re so proud to showcase this stellar talent from around the world—and in particular, the women’s international teams—as they make their Chel debut.”
This joint project with EA Sports is a further step towards the IIHF’s vision to raise the women´s game in terms of participation, awareness, and professionalism. The IIHF continues to work with all stakeholders to take concrete actions, to empower and develop girls and women in ice hockey, and to unleash the passion for the women’s game at all levels, whether on the ice or virtually.