Who is on the cover of NHL 24? EA Sports reveals Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar as cover athlete

Stanley Cup champion. Norris Trophy winner. Conn Smythe recipient. And now, Chel cover athlete. 

EA Sports announced on Monday that Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will be on the cover of its latest hockey video game, NHL 24. 

Despite being only 24 years old, Makar has quickly become the top defenseman in the league. In just four seasons, the UMass product has already won a Conn Smythe as playoff MVP and lifted the Stanley Cup. He has finished top three in Norris Trophy voting for the last three seasons, winning the honor in 2022. 

Makar is coming off another point-per-game season, recording 66 points in 60 games with 17 goals and 49 assists. He became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 200 points, which he accomplished last November.

The release date and more will be coming out on Wednesday, Aug. 16. 

MORE: When does the 2023-24 NHL season start? 

Here is more information on the NHL 24 cover and past cover athletes. 

Who is on the cover of NHL 24?

Cale Makar has been selected to be on the cover of NHL 24. 

Makar will be the first Avalanche player to grace the cover of an NHL game since Joe Sakic was on NHL 2004. Thrashers forward Dany Heatley was the original cover athlete of the '04 game but was replaced by Sakic following a car accident that ended Heatley's teammate Dan Snyder's life.

Makar is the third Colorado player selected to be the face of the NHL video game, joining Sakic and Peter Forsberg, who graced the cover of NHL 98. 

Who has been on previous NHL covers?

Makar's selection for NHL 24 now brings the Avalanche into a tie with the Flyers and the Blackhawks for the most cover athletes from one team.

Philadelphia had Rod Brind'Amour on NHLPA Hockey '93, Eric Lindros on NHL 99 and Claude Giroux on NHL 13. Chicago had Patrick Kane on NHL 10 and then Jonathan Toews on NHL 11 and NHL 16.