EA Sports Adds Women’s Teams to NHL22

For the first time in the video game’s history, EA Sports’ NHL franchise will include women’s teams. In an announcement today, EA Sports and the IIHF have worked out a partnership that will allow the game to use the IIHF Men’s and Women’s World Championship tournaments, as well as the Men’s World Junior Championship tournament in the game. Along with it comes rebranding of the international hockey team logos and sweaters.

Although EA’s NHL franchise has had the ability to have female players in the game through the Create-A-Player route, this is the first time that stars of the Women’s game like Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, and Marie-Philip Poulin will be included in the game.

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski spoke with U.S. Gold Medalist and Blackhawks development coach Kendall Coyne-Schofield about the new inclusion to the game and what it may mean for Women’s representation in hockey moving forward.

It is so cool to see EA not only partnering with the IIHF to update the looks of the international teams in the video game, which it desperately needed to feel more authentic, but to also include the real women’s players for the first time. Much like 2K Sports did with adding the WNBA to their NBA2K franchise a few years ago, it would be awesome to see EA integrate the PHF and PWHPA into the NHL franchise in the next iteration of the game.

The new IIHF update will be live in NHL22 in early-January.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

more blackhawks news

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Happy Birthday Luke, Bag Skate Monday, Bedard vs. Faber, Saturday Cartoons, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson is celebrating a birthday today. He's celebrating his Korchinski year; today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday, Luke! Hope you get a win tonight so you can celebrate with some wine. There have been...

Blackhawks Prospects, Draft Hopefuls Ready for OHL Playoffs

The Ontario Hockey League playoffs begin this week on Thursday. The Chicago Blackhawks will have five prospects still playing in the OHL postseason: Gavin Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie), Paul Ludwinski (Kingston), Nick Lardis (Brantford), Alex Pharand (Sudbury) and Martin Misiak...

When Do Blackhawks Prospects Play in the NCAA Tournament?

On Sunday we learned the Chicago Blackhawks will have six prospects playing in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament this year. Games on the road to the Frozen Four begin on Thursday. Here's the schedule of games including Blackhawks' prospects...

Lottery Odds, Draft Rankings, Frozen Four, the Plan on Defense, Bedard’s Passing, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

This weekend was filled with amazing comebacks, both on college basketball courts and on the ice in San Jose. The Blackhawks erased a four-goal deficit in the second half of their game to stun the Sharks... or did they? The...

Six Blackhawks Prospects Will Play in the Frozen Four Field

On Sunday evening, the NCAA announced the 16 universities that will compete for this year's Frozen Four championship. And the Chicago Blackhawks will be very well represented with five prospects heading to the dance. Boston College is the No. 1...

Latest News

Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

Mariners vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners, led by Julio Rodriguez, square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their opening game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Thursday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 10:07 PM ET at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.The article below will give you everything you need to...

Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

more blackhawks news