Headlined by all-new True Performance Skating, and supported by an innovative new A.I. system dubbed EA Sports Hockey I.Q., NHL 13 will deliver new experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the all-new GM Connected and NHL Moments Live modes.

Philadelphia Flyers forwardGiroux beat Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne in the final of the first ever EA Sports NHL Cover Vote campaign by less than a one percent margin, in what was the closest matchup of the entire campaign.

"The support fans have given me throughout the campaign has been unbelievable," said Flyers forward Claude Giroux. "I am very excited to be on the cover of NHL 13 and I want to thank everyone who campaigned and voted for me - especially my teammates, the Flyers organization, and of course all the NHL fans who voted and tweeted."

"The level of passion that the fans, players, and NHL teams have displayed throughout the first ever EA Sports NHL Cover Vote campaign has been overwhelming," said Dean Richards, General Manager, NHL, EA SPORTS. "The EA Sports NHL Franchise has had a rich tradition of outstanding cover athletes and quality games, and we feel privileged to introduce Claude Giroux as the face of NHL 13 as selected by the fans. With Giroux on the cover and our revolutionary new True Performance Skating engine, we feel great about delivering our most innovative title yet with NHL 13."

"The EA Sports NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign presented by BlackBerry was a success in every measurable way," said Dave McCarthy, NHL Vice President of Consumer Products Marketing. "From nearly 26 million votes cast, to fan and player engagement across social media platforms, to the validation of NHL.com's standing as the number one destination for hockey fans, the NHL 13 Cover Vote campaign exceeded our expectations."

"Congratulations to Claude on being chosen by the fans as the EA Sports NHL 13 cover athlete," said Adam Larry, NHLPA Director of Licensing and Associate Counsel. "We cannot say enough about the amazing job done by all those involved with the EA Sports NHL Cover Vote campaign. The terrific support that all 60 participating NHL players received from not only fans and gamers, but also other NHL players, the teams, teammates, friends and Twitter followers, drove the success of the campaign in its first year."