Canadian Hockey League Confirmed For NHL 11

[goalieump413]

Here's my take...

I live in a city with no NHL team. But Seattle does have a WHL team, the Thunderbirds. Been a long time fan, including several season ticket years. Although I'm not a tough sell for the NHL series games, there are likely quite a few gamers who are. Madden dominates, and all others fall somewhere in back.

For consistency's sake, EA will surely include all CHL teams from all three leagues. With 60 overall teams from the 3 leagues, that's 60 cities (some WITH NHL teams) whose fans can now (or should be able to) play as their favorite home town junior team. Younger brothers and sisters of current junior players, hell, even the players themselves, are probably, at the least, familiar with the game. Why not buy it, start it up, and play a Be A Pro as, well, yourself!

There are other good things too. From enhanced GM depth, to a more natural progression of junior players that come into the league, to a longer, more fulfilling gameplay experience. But it's the marketing that makes this move brilliant. Fact is, who wouldn't enjoy more value for your gaming dollar, while seeing your junior team's logo at center ice?

Now, if only Madden or NCAA or both would do the same thing...

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by patsfan188

Do you understand what I'm getting at? Your response didn't make sense, all I'm saying is that It will be in NHL 11 before NHL 12. Your telling me all this stuff about marketing and coming out of a bag. I know 2 guys or girls just blurted this out but my point is it will be in NHL 11 before NHL 12. It might not be that good at first knowing my Kitchener rangers arena won't look like the AUD at all but at least we have the CHL.

I wasn't arguing your point, I was agreeing with it.
I only quoted your post to piggy-back on what you were saying.

Try not being so defensive.

[06woz]

After answering that guys question up there. I seriously doubt that this is incorporated into BAGM. You can't have all the players coming out of the CHL, even though the majority do.

[headsigh]

What I'm thinking is that CHL players already under the rights of a pro team will be included while others get the NCAA position name and number thing. IIRC they did something similar in Madden with the Houston Texans expansion team. Think it was 2002.

[Money99]

I'd like to know if by getting the CHL license the player likenesses come with it.
I guess we'll find out shortly.

[Qb]

I know image rights and other compensation issues (per diem/post-secondary scholarship/etc) are a very contentious topic for the league(s) and the players. I read a big article on it a year or two ago with the gist being the league controls image rights, IIRC.

BUT, I have no idea if that means EA could include real CHL players. It may be too much of a legal mess or it may be straightforward if the CHL agrees, I'm no lawyer. Based on my limited knowledge, there really is no comparable due to the unusual nature of junior hockey. They're not true amatuers like NCAA athletes, but there is no PA/league split either.

And we still don't know if this is officially in for NHL11, even if all signs point to yes. I assume I'll know after CD, but I won't be able to spill the beans until it's officially announced by EA due to the NDA. Might as well make that clear right now...

[piffbernd]

There will only Season Mode for the CHL, or substitute with NHL Teams in GM Mode. This is my opinion. If there had Bantam Draft included then would be possible. Great feature for the future if so.

[mercalnd]

Quote: Originally Posted by piffbernd

There will only Season Mode for the CHL, or substitute with NHL Teams in GM Mode. This is my opinion. If there had Bantam Draft included then would be possible. Great feature for the future if so.

Just nitpicking but Junior teams draft players from the midget ranks, not Bantam.

That being said, it shouldn't be hard to implement such a draft, as it's really no different from the NHL entry draft, except with players that are rated much lower. Junior hockey operates much like pro hockey, with the draft and trades. You just do away with free agency.