Today, EA Sports announced the availability of the demo version of the latest addition to their NHL franchise of hockey games. The new NHL 09 demo is now available on the PlayStation Network, and an Xbox Live demo will follow in early September.

The game features the new “Be A Pro” mode that will have players start in the AHL and work their way up into the NHL, with the ultimate goal of becoming an NHL legend. The new Performance Tracker will rate gamers’ skill in over 60 categories to inform them of exactly what parts of their game needs to be improved. NHL 09 will also introduce the online EA Sports Hockey League, where gamers can create a character online and join a team with friends or scout for players. Finally, the game will also feature the new Defensive Skill Stick, that allows players to use an improved poke check, sweep their stick 360 degrees to block passes, and lift an opponent’s stick when playing defense.

NHL 09 will ship to retailers September 9, and will be supported by the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 platforms.

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