EA has announced the NHL 23 release date is set for October 14 for all platforms. Not only that, but we even get pre-order bonus info, the new features, and how crossplay is confirmed for this year’s iteration.

In the press release sent out by EA, the company confirmed that cross-platform matchmaking is coming to the game on November 22, but it’ll be locked to the same platform generation (which is understandable). This will be available in World of Chel and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT). 

NHL 23 will also bring a whole new level of authenticity to the franchise. The game will include over 500 new last chance playmaking animations, new living areas and atmosphere, and deep franchise-mode customization.

The game will also have Anaheim Ducks phenom, Trevor Zegras, and Canadian professional hockey and women’s national team member, Sarah Nurse, as its two cover athletes. This will be the first time ever that a woman will grace the cover of an EA Sports NHL game.

Players will now also be able to add IIHF Women’s National Team members alongside men in their HUT lineup. Players will also be able to compete in a variety of new rotating game themes in HUT Rivals with three additional tiers of rewards based on win or win streaks.

Alongside the NHL 23 release date, EA has also announced that whoever pre-orders the game will win a wide variety of in-game rewards. Those who pre-order the NHL 23 XFactor Edition will get the base game alongside three days of early access, 4600 NHL Points, one HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack, HUT XFactor Power-Up Starter Pack, X-Factor Women’s HUT Choice Pack, five World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks, two Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks and XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points, and a signed Sarah Nurse World of Chel Jersey. 

NHL 23 release date is now set for October 14 and is now available for pre-order on the game’s official website.