Joe Thornton Named Cover Athlete for NHL 2K7

[forum Admin]

Joe Thornton Named Cover Athlete for NHL 2K7

NEW YORK, NY – June 22, 2006 – 2K Sports, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that NHL All-Star center Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks is the official spokesman and cover athlete for NHL 2K7. The 2005-06 NHL assist and points leader was the catalyst behind the San Jose Sharks’ 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs run, and has established himself as one of the best centers in the NHL.

The overall first pick of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Thornton has achieved many awards in his successful career. Named an NHL All-Star three consecutive times, Thornton has been a valuable member of Team Canada in international play, winning a gold medal for Team Canada in the 2004 World Cup, and was named MVP in the 2005 World Championship. In his first year at San Jose, he helped lead the Sharks into the 2006 NHL Playoffs with his diligent work ethic, exceptional passing, and unselfish play. He is the 2006 recipient of the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the League’s leader in points at the end of the regular season, as well as a nominee for this year’s Hart Memorial Trophy as the League MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award.

“We’re very proud to have Joe Thornton represent NHL 2K7,” stated Erik Whiteford, vice president of marketing, 2K Sports. “Joe had an amazing season and it was through his leadership, team-first philosophy, and winning attitude that make him the ideal athlete to be the face of our finest NHL 2K title to date.”

“It’s a great distinction to have been selected as the cover athlete for NHL 2K7,” said Thornton. “The NHL 2K series has been recognized as the top rated and premiere NHL video game for several years and to be associated with such a great product is truly an honor.”

Available in Fall 2006 for the Xbox 360™ and Xbox® video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, NHL 2K7 features completely new and unique skating animations and delivers a fresh look and impeccable feel to each on-ice stride. NHL 2K7 also debuts a unique approach to viewing and experiencing virtual hockey with new dynamic cameras and an innovative presentation system that will immerse players into the intense drama of each hockey game. 2K Sports expects NHL 2K7 to continue the tradition as the best rated hockey game on any system.

For more information, log onto http://www.2ksports.com/games/nhl2k7


http://www.2ksports.com/media/news.php?id=2313&gid=&iType=6

[JustRide10]

They should of put Jagr on the front!!!

[b-Dub]

Nah, Joe had a great season, especially after he was traded. He was the sole reason the Sharks made the postseason. Grats to him. :D

[plum29]

great choice fellas. personally i wanted Crosby on the cover but good choice.

and i LOVE the reebok hockey helmet. like the one Crosby wears. good job. :)

[kenastokes2003]

Thanks for the info. And Yes.

[hesk]

2K REPRESENT!!!!

[joe13linsco]

yeah that wouldve been cool: have EA use Ovechkin and 2ksports use Crosby

[SDonahue]

For the amount of problems I hear people complaing about 2k6....I am really excited for 2k7

[cowboys_are_#1]

Who better to place on the cover than the NHL MVP.

[xrams]

I feel special..!!!!! gooo san jo.....!!!:dance:

[chicagochill95]

best choice. joe thornton is a great role model both on the ice with his unselfish play and off the ice with his patience and politeness to reporters and fans.

[MightyCanuckFan]

Good for Thorton. I would have liked to see Jagr or Kipper on it though.

[XeroPercent]

Joe rocks! Good to see him finally get some repect, just sucks that he had to leave Boston to get it. Damn you Bruins GMs!!!

[BobFine]

Joey Thornton is the perfect choice for the cover, can't think of anyone better!

[ohjtbehaaave]

What a HORRIBLE choice for the NHL 2K7 Cover Athlete 2K.
Well so far EA wins that battle. Ovechkin is a much better cover athlete than 2K's with Joe Thornton. Who cares he won MVP with a zillion assists. He's a good player but not a recognizable name outside of the hockey world or a quote "Sniper". He's a big tough player with offensive skills... but he won't make you go WOW with some incredible offensive deke and stick handling to score. In other words... cover boys should be HIGHLIGHT films and popular players! I'm totally SHOCKED '2K' didn't go with JAGR for NHL 2K7. It was a no brainer. Or even Sidney Crosby. JAGRmeister in the NYR Jersey would make a hot game cover that would catch peoples eyes. And at least he's recognizable even outside of hockey. Thorton totally is not. Especially with the Sharks now. If you asked an NBA player if he knew who Joe Thorton was... he'd probably say some Boxer. But most would know who Jagr was in a heartbeat. Jagr is a well known star... had a HUGE year... and put the Rangers back on the map. Let's face it... he's the best player in the NHL right now... and showed it carrying the Rangers to the playoffs for the first time in ages. Plus nothing looks cooler on a hockey games cover than a player wearing a jersey from the "Original 6". It just looks killer.
But Whatever. Amazingly HORRIBLE Choice with Thorton 2K. The game is looking good at least.

[FSOTG]

What a HORRIBLE choice for the NHL 2K7 Cover Athlete 2K.
Well so far EA wins that battle. Ovechkin is a much better cover athlete than 2K's with Joe Thornton. Who cares he won MVP with a zillion assists. He's a good player but not a recognizable name outside of the hockey world or a quote "Sniper". He's a big tough player with offensive skills... but he won't make you go WOW with some incredible offensive deke and stick handling to score. In other words... cover boys should be HIGHLIGHT films and popular players! I'm totally SHOCKED '2K' didn't go with JAGR for NHL 2K7. It was a no brainer. Or even Sidney Crosby. JAGRmeister in the NYR Jersey would make a hot game cover that would catch peoples eyes. And at least he's recognizable even outside of hockey. Thorton totally is not. Especially with the Sharks now. If you asked an NBA player if he knew who Joe Thorton was... he'd probably say some Boxer. But most would know who Jagr was in a heartbeat. Jagr is a well known star... had a HUGE year... and put the Rangers back on the map. Let's face it... he's the best player in the NHL right now... and showed it carrying the Rangers to the playoffs for the first time in ages. Plus nothing looks cooler on a hockey games cover than a player wearing a jersey from the "Original 6". It just looks killer.
But Whatever. Amazingly HORRIBLE Choice with Thorton 2K. The game is looking good at least.

What do you want more is the best player of the year, and the important thing is what's in the box not what's on it, they could put Gary Bettman if they want, I would buy it anyway.

[ohjtbehaaave]

What do you want more is the best player of the year, and the important thing is what's in the box not what's on it, they could put Gary Bettman if they want, I would buy it anyway.



I agree it's all about what's 'inside' the box and the Gameplay. But it doesn't hurt having a cool looking cover for a game either. This Joe Thornton Cover is the biggest Bore and 'who cares' cover I've ever seen on ANY sports game to date. Put an exciting player on your cover2K!!! Choosing Thornton over Jagr would be like if a Baseball game chose Alfonso Soriano over Albert Pujols. Ya gotta put well known stars on these game covers. They might sell a few copies on that alone. Should have been JAGR on 2K7.
Awful choice 2K.

and I'd have to boycott any game with that dope Gary Bettman on it ;)

[orbitalhockeynut]

yeah that wouldve been cool: have EA use Ovechkin and 2ksports use Crosby

I think it fits very well, and could be very symbolic to the fact that Ovechkin is a better player than Crosby. Much like 07 will be better than 2k7 haha.

Yeal Thorton as cover *yawn*!!!!...

I'm glad EA chose the future of the NHL in Ovechkin. If you think Thorton is going to do HALF of what ovechkin is going to do you are a fool.

Ovechkin for cover = Brilliant

Thorton for cover = Weak, and safe.

[joe13linsco]

wow, orbital you are the biggest EA fanboy of all

[orbitalhockeynut]

I just wish 2k7 would give me more to praise it for. I give credit where credit is do and im a realist.

What I like from 2k is the player skating backwards looking for passes as forwards.

[orbitalhockeynut]

What a HORRIBLE choice for the NHL 2K7 Cover Athlete 2K.
Well so far EA wins that battle. Ovechkin is a much better cover athlete than 2K's with Joe Thornton. Who cares he won MVP with a zillion assists. He's a good player but not a recognizable name outside of the hockey world or a quote "Sniper". He's a big tough player with offensive skills... but he won't make you go WOW with some incredible offensive deke and stick handling to score. In other words... cover boys should be HIGHLIGHT films and popular players! I'm totally SHOCKED '2K' didn't go with JAGR for NHL 2K7. It was a no brainer. Or even Sidney Crosby. JAGRmeister in the NYR Jersey would make a hot game cover that would catch peoples eyes. And at least he's recognizable even outside of hockey. Thorton totally is not. Especially with the Sharks now. If you asked an NBA player if he knew who Joe Thorton was... he'd probably say some Boxer. But most would know who Jagr was in a heartbeat. Jagr is a well known star... had a HUGE year... and put the Rangers back on the map. Let's face it... he's the best player in the NHL right now... and showed it carrying the Rangers to the playoffs for the first time in ages. Plus nothing looks cooler on a hockey games cover than a player wearing a jersey from the "Original 6". It just looks killer.
But Whatever. Amazingly HORRIBLE Choice with Thorton 2K. The game is looking good at least.

I agree with this 110%. Joe Thorton won the scoring title playing on a line with an amazing sniper. Score some goals Thorton, or is all you can do is pick up second assists.. worse than crosby.

Thorton as the cover is boring. At least if they picked Crosby 2k would be sending EA a message that they are also looking to the future.

Obviously EA sent a message out there by putting ovechkin on the cover, they are looking to the FUTURE of video games.. just as ovechkin is the future of hockey.

[joe13linsco]

how do you get that from the cover of a game?

[Xthrashx]

......ovechkin is the future of hockey.

absolutely

[Pinoy Dynasty]

How does a cover tell a company is looking towards the future. 2k has really boring game covers but all that matters is the gameplay, and 2K has made great gameplay every year. EA Sports games look flashy but they dont deliver.

[JJT21]

thornton's a great player I hope he doesn't suck after being the cover

[KITCHENERBOY]

What hockeynut said makes sence.And for u guys who dont get what he means, ill put it in simple english cause i dont speak anything but.
What he means is Ovechkin is one of the Nhl's future stars and the game is changing because of the future stars so EA is telling us LOOK OUT WER'E MAKING A COMEBACK and changing hockey as u know it.
For 2k, they are telling us LOOK OUT out franchise is chocking like Joe does in the playoffs.