DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 18: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Seattle Kraken in the third period of Game One in the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

Cale Makar named NHL 24 cover athlete

3 years ago

Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar will grace the cover of the NHL 24 video game, EA Sports announced Monday.

All Hail Cale 🥬 #NHL24

Stanley Cup Champ, Norris Winner, and your official NHL 24 Cover Athlete

See the full reveal 8/16
➡️ https://t.co/PM1LlFQRAu pic.twitter.com/OFLox3Fym8
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 14, 2023

Makar is only the fourth defenseman ever to be the game's sole cover athlete, joining P.K. Subban (NHL 19), Dion Phaneuf (NHL 09), and Chris Pronger (NHL 2000).

He's also the third Avalanche player to be on the cover after Joe Sakic (NHL 2004) and Peter Forsberg (NHL 98).

The 24-year-old is arguably the top blue-liner - and one of the best players overall - in the NHL. He recorded 66 points in 60 games while battling injuries last season.

Makar enjoyed a historic 2021-22 campaign, winning the Norris Trophy with 86 points in 77 contests. He also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy, producing eight goals and 21 assists in 20 playoff contests during the Avalanche's Stanley Cup triumph.

Colorado drafted Makar fourth overall in 2017. He won the Calder Trophy in his 2019-20 rookie campaign by racking up 50 points in 57 games.

EA Sports will release an official trailer for the video game Wednesday.