The Washington Capitals captain, who first appeared on the video game's cover for NHL 07, joins Jonathan Toews as the only two-time worldwide cover athletes. The Chicago Blackhawks captain appeared on the front of the NHL 11 and NHL 16 editions.
"It's a huge honor to be on the cover of NHL 21 for the second cover in my career," Ovechkin said. "More importantly, I'm glad I'm looking just as good on the cover this year as I did in 2007!"
The "Great Eight Edition" will highlight Ovechkin's storied NHL career with the Capitals, as well as his impact on the video game franchise, with a revamped "Be A Pro" experience, expanded creative gameplay and some superstar-inspired moves.
Ovechkin has played all 15 of his NHL seasons with Washington, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. He scored 48 goals this season, tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for the NHL lead, to win the Rocket Richard Trophy for the ninth time. He also became the eighth player in League history to score 700 goals, which he did against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 22. Ovechkin ranks eighth on the NHL all-time list with 706 goals.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews was the cover athlete for NHL 20, New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban, then of the Nashville Predators, appeared on the cover for NHL 19, and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was on the cover for NHL 18.
NHL.com senior fantasy editor Pete Jensen contributed to this report
