Electronic Arts also revealed Nashville Predators' Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and Olympic gold-medalist, P.K. Subban, as the NHL 19 cover athlete.

Players can create a character and express their look and playstyle with over 900 new customization items including, for the first time, lifestyle apparel inspired by pond hockey. On the ice, the cutting-edge animation technology Real Player Motion (RPM) Tech delivers explosive-edge skating with more acceleration and responsiveness that looks and feels better. NHL 19 also lets players compete with and against over 200 of the greatest hockey legends to ever play the sport, including Wayne Gretzky.

In NHL 19, the sport returns to the ponds where players can compete under a unified progression hub called World of CHEL that unites EA Sports Hockey League, NHL THREES Drop In and two new modes, NHL ONES and Pro-Am. NHL ONES pits three players against each other in a 1v1v1 free-for-all with no rules and no stoppages. Players can win to rank up to new outdoor locations and defend their position as king-of-the-hill. Players can also play in any World of CHEL mode to progress their online Create-A-Character, unlock rewards, and customize their look and their playstyle.

Powering the core of NHL 19 is cutting-edge gameplay technology, RPM Tech, which redefines the way movement and animations are captured. RPM Tech enables explosive-edge skating, giving players more control, faster acceleration and more responsiveness as they move up and down the ice. RPM Tech combines with a new collision physics system that introduces more contextual body-checking, bringing bigger, badder, jaw-dropping hits that are dynamic based on speed, size and point of impact.

NHL 19 invites players to an open beta where they can experience The World of CHEL, an evolution of the fan-favorite EA Sports Hockey League mode that introduces a unified progression and customization system for created players. The beta will allow players to take the ice in the brand-new NHL ONES game mode, as well as THREES Drop-In, EASHL Drop-In, Clubs modes and Online Versus with the 31 current NHL teams. 

With the progression and customization of The World of CHEL, NHL 19 provides gamers the freedom to create and compete as the player they’ve always wanted to be. In the beta, players can customize their skaters with 15 different traits and 21 different specializations, in addition to customizing their goalie with six traits and nine specializations. The beta will also feature hundreds of unlockable items like hoodies, jackets, parkas, and knits to create a unique look with league-inspired lifestyle gear and clothing.

Real Player Motion (RPM) Tech also makes its debut in NHL 19 and beta players will have the opportunity to feel the most realistic skating experience in series history. Explosive-Edge skating enables more control, acceleration and creativity to keep pace in the high-speed nature of today’s NHL. Getting up and down the ice has never felt so responsive.

The open beta will run today through August 2nd. Players can download the open beta in the Xbox Marketplace or PlayStation Store. Feedback from the NHL 19 beta can be shared here and by using the hashtag #NHL19Beta onFacebook,Twitter, and Instagram.

Fans can enjoy all that NHL 19 has to offer while also paying tribute to stars of the past with the addition of Legends, featuring over 200 of hockey's greatest from all eras, including Wayne Gretzky. Players can compete as Hero Teams that combine squads of superstars from the past and present for an ultimate fantasy matchup. Play with the best of the best from all eras in both single-player and multiplayer modes.

The youthful expression of today's hockey is also represented in NHL 19 where, for the first time, players can create a unique look with lifestyle gear and clothing, including hoodies, jackets, parkas, and knits frame hockey lifestyle brands and unique custom designs. New playstyle classes and player traits also let players customize the way they perform on the ice, allowing fans the freedom to create and compete as the players they've always wanted to be.

NHL 19 is available on September 14, 2018 for PS4 and Xbox One. Be first in line to compete from the pond to the pros, unlocking the full game three days early on September 11, 2018 when you pre-order the NHL19 Legends Edition and NHL19 Ultimate Edition!

In addition, EA Access members can play for up to 10 hours starting September 6, 2018 with the EA Access Play First Trial.