Dion Phaneuf Has just been given the privilege to appear as the cover athlete for NHL 09. Although Dion has only been playing hockey 3 seasons for the Calgary Flames, he has already established himself as one of the game’s upper-echelon blueliners with two All-Star Game appearances and a nomination for this year’s Norris Trophy.

Although, as a bonus for people in Russia and Sweden, their versions of NHL 09 will feature different cover athletes. Russians will see Alexander Ovechkin, and for Sweden, it will be Daniel Alfredsson.