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NHL 17
NHL 17
NHL 17
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NHL 17
Cover art for most territories featuring Vladimir Tarasenko[a]
DeveloperEA Canada
PublisherEA Sports
SeriesNHL
EngineIgnite
PlatformsPlayStation 4
Xbox One
Release
  • NA: September 13, 2016
  • EU: September 15, 2016
GenreSports (ice hockey)
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

NHL 17 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It is the 26th installment in the NHL game series and was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles in September 2016.

The development team focused solely on eighth generation console versions for NHL 17, citing an increased player base on those consoles over seventh generation ones. They utilized Electronic Arts' Ignite engine and built the game off of that, attempting to generally improve on the series' previous installment. They introduced gameplay improvements in terms of artificial intelligence and physics as well as new mode such as the World Cup of Hockey tournament mode and a revamped version of "Be a GM", a simulation mode where the player acts as a team's general manager, titled "Franchise Mode", which now features team owners and team relocation. A newer Creation Zone was also added, featuring an expansive team builder as well as an arena creator. Modes from its predecessor saw a return as well, including the trading card-based team building mode Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), the online co-operative play mode known as EA Sports Hockey League, and Be a Pro, a career mode. Similar to the past two NHL titles, NHL 17 features presentation in the style of the NHL on NBC.

Prior to the game's release, there were several trailers were released to promote it. A public beta for the game was initiated prior to the game's release for testing. Critics who played the beta wrote generally positive reviews and noted it as a good precursor to the full game. Upon full release, NHL 17 received generally positive reviews from critics. The gameplay improvements and new additions to the game mainly received praise, while criticism was aimed at some lack of depth and general innovation. Online servers for the game were shut down on June 6, 2022.

Gameplay

[edit]

NHL 17 is an ice hockey simulation video game powered by the Ignite engine, created by Electronic Arts.[1] It features game presentation in the style of the NHL on NBC, with commentary being provided by Mike Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (color) and Ray Ferraro (ice-side reporter), with the network's score bug appearing on-screen as well.[2][3] The game can be played on five different difficulties; "Rookie", the lowest, "Semi-Pro", "Pro", "All-Star", and "Superstar", the highest.[3][4] Players are able to select from three different control schemes, called "NHL '94 controls", "Skill Stick" and "Hybrid"; NHL '94 controls are very simplistic as they strictly use the controller's buttons for actions, aside from moving the player, which the left stick does; Skill Stick controls utilize the controller's right stick in order to both shoot and deke; Hybrid controls are similar to NHL '94 controls but have some more action options. All schemes have dedicated goalie controls, for when the player manually controls one, which are the same across all schemes.[5] If they wish, the player can enable the On-Ice Trainer, a system made to assist the player as they play.[6]

World Cup of Hockey gameplay in NHL 17. Visible is the NHL on NBC score bug (top-left) as well as the On-Ice Trainer (above center ice).

During a game, players maneuver around the ice with normal skating and deking and are able to seamlessly pass to teammates to create scoring chances. If a player scores a goal, they are able to celebrate the way they want to; many new celebrations were added to the game.[7] One newly added celebration was a mimicked version of baseball player José Bautista's iconic bat flip that occurred during the 2015 American League Division Series.[8] Defensively, the player can skate their way to the puck carrier and have a chance to break up the play. The player has multiple ways of doing so; pushing the carrier off of the puck, delivering a body check, or pushing them towards the boards of the ice.[7]

Improvements were made to parts of the game's artificial intelligence and physics systems. A key improvement to the AI was the "Reactionary Save Intelligence" system made for goalies. This system has the goalie process the shooter's position and scoring angle before committing to a certain kind of save.[7] The goalie will make either a technical or athletic save depending on the type of shot that they are facing; if the goalie has a good portion of the net covered already, they will block the puck with their body in their current position; if they are caught off guard, then they will resort to their athleticism and quick reflexes to make a save instead.[9] EA also developed new motion capture for the goalies to match the movements of real-life goalies. In the area of player physics, battles between forwards and defenders in front of the net have been improved. These "net battles" were tuned to be more realistic; the player uses more stick play in these battles and can force tie-ups with the defender.[7]

NHL 17 features several game modes including both new and returning ones. Play Now is an offline match that can be played solo or with a friend via local connection. Players can also play one-on-one matches with other NHL 17 users online in the Online Versus mode.[10] Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) has players create a custom team by opening packs containing trading cards to gain players and build a stronger team.[11] Replacing the chemistry system of past NHL titles is the new Synergy system. Each player now has a special synergy, either a "Player Synergy" or "Team Synergy". These are activated when a certain number of players on a team have the same synergy. Player Synergies grant specific attribute boosts only to players while Team Synergies grant every player on the team attribute boosts.[12][13] "Dynamic Sets" are also introduced to HUT. This is a crafting system in the mode that allows players to trade in items or players by putting them into a set and receiving a reward of higher value afterward. Newer and different sets were introduced over time.[14] Be a Pro allows players to pursue a career in the National Hockey League with their own custom-made player.[10] The EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL) allows players to create a custom player and join clubs formed by other NHL 17 users. Clubs can be custom-made, featuring custom names, logos, uniforms and arenas. The club's arena becomes larger and gets improved as the club progresses in the mode.[11][15] EASHL can also be played outside of clubs in the Drop-In mode, where players can match up with other users and play a single 6-on-6 game together. This kind of game mode can also be played outside of EASHL with real-world teams in the Online Team Play mode.[10] Other modes include Shootout Mode, where players can play a single round of shootout either offline or online, Practice Mode, where players can practice scenarios with a full team or practice as a goalie, Season Mode, where players assume control of a team in any hockey league and play a full season, and Playoff Mode, which is a one-off run of the Stanley Cup playoffs.[10]

New modes were also introduced to the game. The Be a GM mode, which had the player become the general manager of any NHL team they choose, was expanded into the Franchise Mode. Team owners are introduced to the mode and players must now meet the team owner's expectations. The player can also potentially relocate their team to different city. If they relocate a team, they are free to build their own stadium and rebuild the team's image from the ground-up, similar to the team builder in EASHL.[15][16][17] For the second time in the NHL series, the World Cup of Hockey is playable;[17] NHL 2005 was the first NHL title to feature it.[18] Players may play through the tournament with any team from the World Cup they choose. The actual players, jerseys and logos for each team all appear in-game.[17] The Draft Champions mode is introduced to the series after a similar mode was featured in the Madden NFL series prior. A fantasy draft simulation, players are able to select NHL superstars in a 12-round draft and create their own team with them. After drafting, the player is then able to enter a tournament against the computer or other players online.[19] The player also has a chance of reaching the Draft Championship during the tournament.[17] Also added to NHL 17 is the ECHL, a North American hockey league. All 27 teams in the league are playable, with all team jerseys, logos and players appearing.[15][20] The game also includes three Swiss league stadiums.[21][22]

Development and release

[edit]
For NHL 17, EA Canada dropped support for seventh generation consoles, like the Xbox 360 (left; E model pictured), in order to have more development time for versions for eighth generation consoles, like the Xbox One (S model pictured), which had larger player bases.

According to NHL 17 lead producer Sean Ramjagsingh, the developers wanted to take from the series' previous installment and generally improve on it.[14] The development team within EA Canada wanted to improve on the overall gameplay by introducing a better physics system and enhanced artificial intelligence.[23] They utilized Electronic Arts' Ignite engine as a foundation to NHL 17 and built the game off of that. While the development team of FIFA within EA Canada had transitioned to the Frostbite engine from Ignite for that year's entry, the NHL development team continued to use Ignite, though Ramjagsingh speculated about possibly using Frostbite in future installments of the series. The game also dropped support for the older seventh generation of video game consoles for the first time, following the NHL: Legacy Edition port of the previous year. Ramjagsingh cited the increased player base on eighth generation consoles as a reason why the developers wanted to not port the game to the consoles of the previous generation.[14]

The first trailer for NHL 17, dubbed the "Vision Trailer" was released on April 26, 2016.[24] The video displayed the game's development and how the gameplay was built.[25] In the video, the game's developers shared the vision that they had planned for the game during development, which included gameplay adjustments as well as customization improvements.[26] On the same day, the voting for the game's cover athlete began. The vote featured 8 athletes, one from each country/team participating in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.[26] The final round of the voting was between Russian forward Vladimir Tarasenko, of the St. Louis Blues and American center Joe Pavelski, of the San Jose Sharks. Tarasenko won the vote, earning his spot on the game's cover art.[27] Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter, a Swiss native, was named as the cover athlete for the Swiss version of the game.[28]

A second trailer for the game, displaying cinematic gameplay, was released on June 22.[29][30] A trailer was released on July 19 for the game's EASHL mode, displaying its improvements and new features.[31] This was followed by a trailer displaying the new features in the HUT mode, released on July 26.[32] The game's soundtrack was revealed on July 27; the EA Trax was unavailable in the previous two NHL titles. The soundtrack featured music from artists such as Nothing but Thieves, The Chainsmokers and The Sheepdogs among others.[33] Similar to NHL 16, a public beta for the game was active from July 28 until August 4.[29] Players who partook in the beta were able to access the EASHL, HUT and Online Versus modes as well as the game's team and arena creators (named the "Creation Zone").[11][34] A trailer exploring the new features in the Franchise Mode was released on August 9.[35] On the following day, it was announced that EA Sports would be launching their NHL Rewards Program. People who registered in the program would be able to enter sweepstakes for a chance of winning hockey items.[36] The game's World Cup of Hockey mode received a trailer that was first shown during the 2016 Gamescom convention on August 16.[37]

NHL 17 was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles on September 13, 2016 in North America and September 15 in Europe. Pre-orders of any edition of the game came with a special EASHL equipment bundle as well as a unique goal celebration, imitating the one from NHL '94. The Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions came with extra gold packs for the Hockey Ultimate Team mode, delivered weekly for a certain amount of time, with the Super Deluxe edition offering more packs than the Deluxe. Pre-orders made through the Xbox Games Store came with a free month of EA Access.[38] A large update for the game was released to coincide with its launch. The update brought in several new features, items and options, while also fixing certain issues and bugs.[39]

The online servers for the game were shut down on June 6, 2022.[40][41]

Reception

[edit]

Pre-release

[edit]

The inclusion of the Bautista bat flip celebration, which could be viewed during the beta, received wide media coverage, with sites such as Yahoo! Sports,[42] Fox Sports,[43] CBS Sports,[44] as well as the MLB's own Cut4 news subsidiary reporting on it.[45] Critics who played the game's beta gave it generally positive reviews. Samit Sarkar of Polygon stated that "NHL 17 is shaping up to be the kind of game that could bring the series back to its previous-generation heights," complimenting the game's gameplay improvements and the new additions to the EASHL mode.[16] Jake Sundstrom of SB Nation's Fear the Fin blog enjoyed the game's team and arena builders, but commented that they need "a little more depth".[46] Brian Mazique of Forbes lauded the game's graphics, stating that "NHL continues to be one of the most attractive sports games available." He also praised the game's improved AI systems for CPU teammates and opponents as well as the online connectivity. He was more critical of the HUT mode's menus and the game's presentation, calling it "beyond stale and outdated." Mazique enjoyed the EASHL mode, but felt that the player creation feature was limited in options.[47] SB Nation writer SkyonAir, of the Stanley Cup of Chowder blog, praised the player and team creators as well as the gameplay overhaul for goaltenders. While he criticized the beta's lack of game modes offered, he recommended the game to readers.[48]

Post-release

[edit]

NHL 17 received mainly positive reviews from critics upon release. The PlayStation 4 version holds a 78/100 score on review aggregator site Metacritic, based on 26 reviews, while the Xbox One version holds a 77/100 score, based on 23 reviews.[49][50] Critics mainly praised the new additions to the game, such as the Franchise Mode and team customization options as well as the improvements to gameplay. Criticism was aimed at some lack-of-depth, a lack of innovation and repetition in game presentation.

At Game Revolution, Devin Charles wrote a very positive review, awarding the game a 4.5/5 score. He felt that the game was very replayable, praising the amount of content that the game delivered as well as its online play. "The game's overall presentation is solid, with the commentary and action cutscenes always making you feel as if you are a part of the heated battles and help keep the game flowing and relevant," Charles stated in his review. His only criticism was the HUT mode and how little it was altered from the previous year.[54]

IGN's Glenn Wigmore awarded the game an 8.4/10 score and stated that it "offers such variety that it’s easy to recommend to many players." He noted the improved mechanics for goalies and stick battles between other players. He enjoyed the EASHL and Franchise Mode, saying that "NHL has needed this sort of management mode badly for a while now." He criticized the World Cup of Hockey mode for seeming too gimmicky and felt that it wouldn't receive much gameplay from players after one month.[19]

Mat Paget of GameSpot wrote a less positive review, but gave the game a 7/10 score. Paget felt that the game presentation was repetitive and that the game was not too different from NHL 16, stating that "there isn't a standout mode or feature that makes this game substantially better than its predecessor." While he also aimed criticism at the Be a Pro mode, which he felt was barely touched, he complimented the adjusted user interface and felt that the HUT mode "remains an engaging experience."[55]

At Game Informer, Matt Bertz gave the game a 7.25/10 score and wrote a mixed review. Bertz complimented the changes made to certain parts of the gameplay, saying that "shooting, passing and checking are all solid," although he felt that odd puck pickups and player pivots slowed down the game speed. He felt that EASHL was the game's standout mode that featured improvements with new customization options for players and teams, but also felt that these options were limited. Bertz criticized the lack of an in-depth career mode, comparing the NHL 17 Be a Pro mode to the story-driven NBA 2K MyCareer mode, which he enjoyed more. He finished his review stating that the developers continue to make only "minor improvements across the board, yet the NHL series has yet to tap its true potential this generation."[53]

Notes and references

[edit]
[edit]
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NHL 17

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NHL 17 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under its EA Sports label. It was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 13, 2016, in North America and September 15, 2016, internationally. The game features St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko as its cover athlete, who was selected through a fan vote that garnered over six million votes on Twitter and NHL.com. The title emphasizes enhanced on-ice realism with key innovations like the Net Battle system, which simulates intense crease scrambles between players and goaltenders, and Reactionary Save Intelligence, an AI-driven goaltending mechanic that responds dynamically to shots based on player positioning and puck trajectory. improvements also include refined collision physics for more authentic hits, upgraded skating and passing mechanics, and better puck control during battles. A new Visual On-Ice Trainer mode provides tutorials and skill-building exercises to help players of all levels master these elements. NHL 17 introduces several notable game modes, including Draft Champions, a fantasy-style mode where players build teams from a pool of current NHL stars for online head-to-head matches; the official event, recreating the 2016 international tournament with authentic teams and rosters; and an expanded Franchise Mode with deeper general manager tools for scouting, trading, and team building. The EA Sports Hockey League returns with customizable arenas and a player ranking system, while Hockey Ultimate Team adds a "Synergy" chemistry mechanic to reward strategic lineup synergies. A public beta from July 28 to August 4, 2016, allowed early access to select modes like online versus and Hockey Ultimate Team. Critically, NHL 17 received positive reviews for its advancements and mode variety, earning a score of 78 out of 100 for the version based on 26 critic reviews and 77 out of 100 for the version. It was praised as one of the strongest entries in the series, particularly for revitalizing goaltending and net-front play after criticisms in prior installments.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

NHL 17 utilizes the Ignite engine developed by to deliver enhanced realistic physics and animations, enabling more authentic player movements, collisions, and interactions on the ice. This engine supports improved puck physics, allowing for greater control and variability in how the puck behaves during play, such as in loose puck situations or passes. The game incorporates an broadcast presentation style, featuring commentary from play-by-play announcer , color analyst , and inside-the-glass reporter , which immerses players in a televised hockey experience with dynamic graphics and calls. Players can select from five difficulty levels—Rookie, Semi-Pro, Pro, All-Star, and Superstar—to adjust AI challenge and realism, alongside three control schemes: Skill Stick for intuitive analog-based shooting and deking; Hybrid for a balance of button and stick inputs suited to varying skill levels; and for a retro button-based experience. AI enhancements in NHL 17 include Reactionary Save Intelligence for goalies, where they analyze the shooter's position, angle to the net, and scoring context before committing to saves, resulting in more strategic and varied goaltending. Defensive AI features improved positioning, with teammates better anticipating plays, managing gaps through responsive skating and stopping, and breaking up passes more effectively. Player fatigue is simulated realistically, affecting speed, decision-making, and endurance based on shift length and intensity, adding depth to and pacing. These mechanics integrate seamlessly into modes like Hockey Ultimate Team, where precise puck control and physical play influence competitive outcomes. New on-ice features expand player expression and physicality, including dozens of unique goal celebrations that players can customize and trigger after scoring for added personality, the Net Battle system simulating intense crease scrambles between players and goaltenders, and the Visual On-Ice Trainer providing tutorials and skill-building exercises. Checking physics have been refined to allow nuanced hits, such as closing opponents against the boards, pushing them off the puck, or executing full body checks, promoting strategic forechecking without excessive penalties. Puck control mechanics receive updates to passing accuracy, quicker pickups, and pivots, enabling split-second adjustments during transitions and battles for possession.

Game Modes

NHL 17 offers a variety of game modes that cater to different playstyles, from single-player career simulations to competitive online experiences, emphasizing strategic depth and customization unique to this installment. Returning modes like Franchise and Be a Pro have been expanded with new progression elements, while innovative additions such as and Draft Champions introduce fresh tournament structures. Hockey Ultimate Team and Hockey League incorporate social and team-building mechanics, enhanced by the Creation Zone for personalized content. These modes leverage core realism to create immersive scenarios, such as managing long-term team dynamics or competing in international events. Franchise Mode serves as the central single-player experience, allowing players to manage an NHL team over multiple seasons with a focus on building a dynasty to win the . Players act as , handling personnel decisions, budgets, promotions, and facility upgrades while answering to unique team owners who set specific goals like playoff appearances or revenue targets. A key addition in NHL 17 is the relocation option, enabling users to move their franchise to new cities with custom arenas and fan bases, adding strategic layers to long-term . has been deepened with more detailed reports on prospects' attributes and potential, facilitating informed draft choices across multiple rounds. The mode integrates the for authentic play, where prospects can develop in lower-tier affiliates before promotion, enhancing realism in player progression. The mode marks a significant new addition, providing a dedicated international featuring all official national teams, players, and uniforms from the real event. Players can select a country and compete in a full bracket-style competition, simulating group stages, semifinals, and finals to claim global glory. This mode emphasizes national pride and roster strategy, with authentic team compositions that reflect real-world lineups and tactics, offering a break from standard NHL seasons. Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) enables players to assemble and manage a customizable squad of current and legendary NHL stars through card collection and online matches. The standout NHL 17 feature is the system, a team chemistry mechanic that rewards pairing linemates and defensemen with complementary playstyles—such as aggressive forecheckers or defensive specialists—for bonuses like improved passing accuracy or boosted attributes. Synergies activate at thresholds of three to eight linked players, applying perks across the entire lineup to encourage balanced team-building over raw power. Progression involves earning rewards from challenges and divisions, with the system adding strategic depth to and squad optimization. EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL) focuses on online club-based play, where groups of up to six players form persistent teams to climb divisions through seasonal matches. In NHL 17, customization reaches new heights with tools to design team logos, jerseys, and even arenas, including scoreboards and goal songs unlocked via progression. A revamped player rank system awards badges for performance milestones, granting access to specialized classes—like or grinder—with unique strengths and weaknesses to suit roles. Anti-griefing measures ensure fair play, while the mode supports drop-in for casual sessions alongside structured club advancement. Be a Pro mode immerses players in a single athlete's career journey, starting in junior leagues and progressing through milestones to reach and excel in the NHL. Users control one customizable player, making on-ice decisions during key moments while simulating off-ice elements like and negotiations. NHL 17 introduces a difficulty tier for balanced challenge, alongside the Visual On-Ice Trainer, which provides real-time feedback on skills like shooting and positioning to aid development. Career arcs include international tournaments and All-Star events, culminating in potential Hall of Fame induction based on stats and achievements. The Creation Zone acts as a comprehensive hub for , allowing users to edit players, teams, and environments for use across modes. Players can craft detailed avatars with adjusted attributes, , and animations, while team builders support full uniform overhauls including patterns, colors, and logos. A major NHL 17 enhancement is the Arena Creator, where users design custom rinks with modular elements like seating, lighting, and crowd effects, exportable to Franchise or EASHL for immersive play. This zone streamlines sharing creations online, fostering community-driven content without altering core rules. Draft Champions delivers a fast-paced fantasy draft simulation, where players select from themed pools—such as power forwards or speedsters—to build a 23-player roster in quick, snake-style rounds. Once drafted, the team competes in a four-game playoff against AI or online opponents, with victories earning HUT rewards like packs or coins. The mode's objective is to balance lines for and chemistry, testing draft in a condensed format that highlights superstar matchups without long-term management.

Development

Announcement and Beta

EA Sports announced NHL 17 on April 26, 2016, alongside the release of the "Vision Trailer," which offered a behind-the-scenes look at the development process and emphasized fan input in shaping the game's features. The trailer highlighted the studio's commitment to enhancing authenticity through feedback, setting the stage for the series' 26th installment on and . As part of the announcement, EA launched a fan vote for the game's cover athlete, featuring eight NHL stars representing teams from the upcoming . The voting process unfolded in three rounds, with fans able to cast unlimited votes via NHL.com or using specific hashtags; the final matchup pitted forward against center , concluding on June 22, 2016, when Tarasenko was revealed as the winner during the NHL Awards. On June 22, 2016, EA released the world premiere trailer, coinciding with the cover athlete reveal and providing the first in-depth look at on-ice action, including improved player movement and authentic checking mechanics. This was followed by the reveal on July 27, 2016, featuring 17 tracks curated for the main menus and in-game atmospheres, including songs from ("Wake Up Call") and ("Roses"). EA opened registration for the public beta on June 22, 2016, available exclusively to PS4 and Xbox One players who signed up by July 7. The beta ran from July 28 to August 4, 2016, focusing on online modes such as Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) and EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL), allowing participants to test core multiplayer features and provide feedback. Beta testers reported positive impressions of gameplay refinements, particularly in skating responsiveness and hitting realism.

Technical Aspects

NHL 17 marked a significant shift in platform support for the series, transitioning exclusively to eighth-generation consoles with releases on and , while discontinuing compatibility with the and Xbox 360. This move allowed developers to leverage the enhanced hardware capabilities of the newer systems, running the game at resolution to deliver improved visual fidelity without the constraints of legacy hardware. The game was developed at EA Canada under the leadership of Senior Producer Sean Ramjagsingh, who emphasized overhauls to and physics to enhance realism and responsiveness. AI improvements included better teammate positioning, such as tying up defenders and more intelligent support during plays, while physics refinements focused on puck interactions, rebounds, and goalie mechanics, incorporating from NHL Eddie Lack for authentic movements. These changes prioritized balanced, fun-oriented simulations bounded by real-world authenticity, enabling features like new net battles without compromising control fidelity. Powered by the Ignite engine, NHL 17 featured targeted enhancements to core visual and interactive elements, including upgraded lighting effects, more dynamic crowd reactions tied to arena customizations like displays, and refined player models for greater detail in animations and personalization options. The engine provided a stable foundation that freed the team to iterate on features rather than foundational technology, supporting modes like the through seamless integration of advanced simulations. Under the official NHL and NHLPA licenses, the game integrated comprehensive real-world data for authentic rosters, arenas, and uniforms, extending to like the with their home, road, and third jerseys for immersive gameplay across all modes. This ensured up-to-date player attributes, team logos, and venue details, enhancing the simulation's fidelity to professional hockey.

Release and Marketing

Release Details

NHL 17 was released on September 13, 2016, in and on September 15, 2016, in and worldwide. The game launched exclusively for the and consoles, marking ' continued focus on current-generation hardware for the NHL series. The title was made available both physically in retail stores and digitally through the and , allowing players immediate access upon launch in . Major retailers such as Amazon and offered physical copies for purchase, supporting widespread distribution. In a nod to regional marketing strategies, the Swiss edition of NHL 17 featured Minnesota Wild forward on the cover, highlighting ' efforts to localize promotion for European markets. This variation aligned with broader campaigns emphasizing international appeal tied to the game's cover athlete.

Cover Athlete and Editions

Vladimir , forward for the , was selected as the cover athlete for NHL 17 through a fan vote that received over six million votes on and NHL.com. The vote, which pitted Tarasenko against forward , concluded with the announcement at the 2016 NHL Awards in , highlighting his breakout 2015–16 season performance of 40 goals. NHL 17 was released in multiple editions to cater to different player preferences. The Standard Edition provided access to the full base game, along with incentives such as one Gold Pack per week for 10 weeks in Hockey Ultimate Team, an EASHL equipment bundle, and an goal celebration. The Deluxe Edition expanded on the Standard Edition with up to five days of , one Gold Plus Pack per week for 25 weeks in Hockey Ultimate Team, 500 Hockey Points for in-game purchases, an EASHL equipment bundle, and the goal celebration. A Super Deluxe Edition was also available, providing two Gold Plus Packs per week for 25 weeks in Hockey Ultimate Team while retaining the other Deluxe bonuses. Marketing efforts centered on Tarasenko's selection, including the world premiere gameplay trailer that debuted his cover art and showcased new on-ice mechanics like authentic goaltending and net battles. Promotional events tied into the fan vote process, encouraging community engagement via hashtags and online polls to build anticipation ahead of the beta and full release. The cover vote itself generated significant pre-release hype by involving fans directly in the game's branding.

Reception

Pre-Release Reception

The pre-release reception for NHL 17 centered on enthusiasm generated at events like , where announcements of innovative modes and gameplay refinements built significant anticipation among fans and critics. Previews highlighted the addition of the mode, featuring all eight international teams with authentic player recreations, as a major draw for series enthusiasts seeking fresh competitive experiences. Similarly, the introduction of HUT Synergy in Hockey Ultimate Team was praised for replacing the previous chemistry system with a more dynamic attribute-boosting mechanic, where grouping players with shared traits like "relentless " could enhance skills such as speed or defense, adding strategic depth to team building. The public beta, available from July 28 to August 4, 2016, further amplified positive sentiment through hands-on feedback emphasizing tangible improvements in core gameplay elements. Players and early testers lauded the enhanced AI, noting smarter teammate behaviors such as better defensive coverage and puck support, which made matches feel more realistic and challenging compared to prior iterations. Goalie AI received particular acclaim for overhauled tracking and save mechanics, eliminating erratic limb flails in favor of skill-based consistency that demanded creative offensive plays. Responsive controls emerged as a standout aspect, with refined skating animations allowing for quicker starts, stops, and turns that captured professional-level finesse, while passing and shot mechanics felt more intuitive and precise, enabling smoother puck cycling along the boards and faster wrist shots. Mode accessibility also drew praise, particularly in EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL), where new player classes like the "puck-moving defenseman" and intuitive role systems improved matchmaking and personalization, alongside features like expanded Create-A-Player options with over 300 face templates and customizable attributes. Previews positioned these updates as evolutionary steps over , promising greater immersion and variety without overhauling the established formula.

Critical Reviews

NHL 17 received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release, earning aggregate scores of 78/100 for the version based on 26 reviews and 77/100 for the version based on 24 reviews on . These scores reflect a consensus that the game delivered a solid hockey experience, though it was seen as an iterative update rather than a revolutionary entry in the series. Critics widely praised the game's for its fluidity and responsiveness, with improved puck physics and player movement creating dynamic on-ice action. The , particularly the new on-ice trainer feature, was highlighted as a standout element, providing adaptive feedback to help players improve skills like faceoffs and dekes. New modes such as Draft Champions and the were commended for adding fresh variety and authenticity to the presentation, enhancing the overall immersion with polished visuals and commentary. However, reviews noted criticisms regarding a lack of significant , especially in Franchise Mode, where added features like team relocation and promotions felt superficial and failed to deepen beyond basic spreadsheets. Hockey Ultimate Team () drew complaints for its repetitive model, with real-money purchases for card packs often resulting in unusable items that encouraged ongoing spending without substantial changes from prior years. awarded the game an 8.4/10, emphasizing its smooth and feature-rich core, while gave it a 7/10, appreciating the impressive gameplay but pointing out the incremental upgrades that made it feel familiar.

Commercial Performance

NHL 17 experienced strong initial commercial success, ranking fourth among the top-selling video games in the United States for September 2016, behind , , and FIFA 17. This performance was bolstered by the dedicated hockey fanbase and a significant portion of sales coming from digital downloads, aligning with ' broader trend where 63% of net revenue in the fiscal quarter ending , 2016, was digital. According to VGChartz estimates, the game sold 206,937 physical units worldwide in its first week at retail following its September 13, 2016, launch. Overall sales for NHL 17 are estimated at around 1.1 million units globally across and , contributing to ' annual revenue stream, though has not publicly disclosed precise figures for the title. The game's commercial results reflected steady performance consistent with previous entries in the NHL series, which typically achieve similar unit sales without major year-over-year variances. A key driver of ongoing revenue was the popularity of mode, which encouraged player engagement through microtransactions for virtual packs and customizable items. 's appeal within NHL 17 helped sustain post-launch income, mirroring EA's broader Ultimate Team ecosystem that generated approximately $775 million in annual revenue across all sports titles during 2017.

Post-Release

Updates and Support

EA Sports provided ongoing roster updates for NHL 17 throughout the 2016-2017 NHL season to reflect real-world trades, injuries, and performance changes. The first update, released on October 19, 2016, increased ratings for standout rookies such as (from 77 to 85 overall) and (from 77 to 82 overall), while adding new players like (79 overall). Subsequent updates, including a major one on December 1, 2016, incorporated movements across leagues like the NHL, AHL, , and European circuits, ensuring accurate team compositions. The March trade deadline roster update, available by late March 2017, specifically addressed post-deadline transactions and injury statuses, downloadable via the game's Customize > Roster menu with an internet connection. Post-release patches focused on resolving bugs, improving AI behavior, enhancing online stability, and balancing gameplay modes. For instance, Tuner Update 1.01 in late October 2016 adjusted gameplay mechanics, while Content Update #3, released in early 2017, included Tuner 1.02 with fixes to AI elements like puck carrier reaction speeds and goalie save capabilities (e.g., faster post-to-post movements and reduced screen interference effects). These updates also addressed mode-specific issues, such as removing matchmaking restrictions in Hockey League (EASHL) to improve online play and adding Competitive Seasons to Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) on January 19, 2017, for better balance and rewards structure in response to player feedback on launch stability. Additional bug fixes in this update corrected presentation errors, like arena scoreboards and uniform logos, and resolved morale issues for injured players in Franchise mode. Online servers for NHL 17 remained active for modes including EASHL and until their shutdown on June 6, 2022, after which offline play continued but multiplayer features were discontinued across all platforms. EA maintained these servers to support community engagement during and beyond the game's primary support period.

Legacy

NHL 17 played a significant role in advancing the NHL series by introducing the mode for the first time in the franchise's history, enabling players to compete on an international stage with authentic national teams and rosters. This addition, tied to the real-world 2016 tournament, brought deeper international gameplay elements. However, the mode was not retained in subsequent entries like or NHL 19. Following the server shutdown on June 6, 2022, which ended official online support for NHL 17 and earlier entries, the game's offline modes have sustained player engagement within fan communities. Enthusiasts continue to access features like Franchise Mode and single-player simulations through preserved offline functionality. Contemporary reviews from viewed NHL 17 as a solid installment in the annual series, particularly praising its enhancements that made defensive and team-oriented decisions more realistic and responsive on the ice. Reviewers highlighted improvements in AI awareness, such as better puck battles and goaltending logic, which elevated on-ice authenticity compared to prior releases. However, it faced criticism for overall stagnation, with upgrades described as incremental rather than revolutionary, contributing to a sense of repetition in the yearly formula. As of November 2025, NHL 17 remains available for digital purchase on platforms like the Xbox Store, allowing new players to experience its core features without interruption. No remaster or enhanced edition has been announced by , preserving the original 2016 release as the definitive version for legacy play.

References

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