According to Dagbladet.nu, NHL 08 will now feature Elitserien league teams.  Here's the translated version of the article:

"Sjödin is still in Brynäs, Magnus Johansson leaves Linköping, Södertälje has aquired a new goalie and...
Now it is really important to have those stuff in mind beacuse of this year is the first year that the correct Elitserien-teams and players are included in EA Sports NHL-game.

The name of the game is "NHL08" but it could have been "Elitserien 08".
For the first time is the correct teams and rosters included in EA sports popular video game.
- Lets see... Malmö got relegated? They are not in the game this year but the new team Södertal...jae? Do you pronounce it that way?
Meredith Kaufman in the team behind the NHL-game maybe go offside when she is dribbling with difficult-pronounced swedish names but the pass to the fans in computer game-Sweden is understood.
- It´s kind of cool, eh? says the chief producer, David Littman at an early demonstration of the game at the EA headquarter in Vancouver, Kanada.

Correct fixtures
- Before, we had to use the previous seasons teams and rosters because of we didnt got the time to include the actual ones. This year, we goth both the fixtures and the rosters in time.
And that is just not for Elitserien. Also the finnish SM-liiga and the other european leagues that is included in the game is up to date with the reality.

Another new thing in the game is that the Stockholm Globe Arena and the finnish national arena Hartwall Areena is included in the game.
- The globe is one of the most coolest arenas I´ve ever been to, says Lippman.
The next few years of the game will more real life arenas from Europe be included.
- We have an 3 year strategy. 07 we focused on the coreplay. The free puck, dribblings and new penalty shots was the news.
- It was very innovative and was one of the reason that we got the prize, "The sportsgame of the year" says Littman proudly.

Some news like that in NHL08?
- In this game we are focusing on defence and AI. Skating is a big thing and we want to do the game even more authentic.
More reality
One of the news is "vision control"
- It will do the powerplay more realistic than ever, where they players has the face towards the goal, even if the skate to the side.
"Like this" he says and shows on a tv-screen when a Modo-player tries to find passing-ways through Djurgårdens boxplay.
- We are also working with speedburst. But it will not be executed by pushing a button, says David Littman.

Any more news?
- Yes, but eh... we are working with a lot of stuff that we not can reveal yet, says Littman with a smile."

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: