Even though the current season is not yet over, 2K Sports believes that it's never too early to start looking forward to the next season. That's why they're taking care of the final touches for their hockey simulator game, NHL 2K9. Since we all know how important superstars are both on-court and outside of the court, talking to us, the fans, we kept wondering who would be the athlete featured on the next cover. Take Two's sport division probably felt that too, since they have decided to answer that question.

Rick Nash, the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets and three time NHL All-Star, will be the one holding the hotspot on 2K Sports' cover and he'll also have the role of spokesman for the hockey game.

"I've been a longtime fan of the hockey games from 2K Sports. My idols have all been on the covers of video games as I was growing up, so to be on the cover of NHL 2K9 myself is truly incredible," said Nash, who scored an impressive three goals in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. "The set of new features they're adding is really going to make this game special for hockey fans - I'm hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating this year!"

Probably you know all the details about Nash already, but we always like to remind you what a great kid he is: he began playing in the NHL when he was aged 18 and, in his second season, he became the youngest player in the NHL history to win the "Rocket" Richard Trophy by co-leading the League with no less than 41 goals scored. Nash also took part in the Olympics as a member of Team Canada in 2006, and won the 2007 World Championship MVP title. Now, the already legendary player is back to take hockey to a new level in NHL 2K9. Let's hope he manages to do it right!