2K Sports is handing cover duties for NHL 2K11 to one of the architects of the USA's improbable Winter Olympics run. Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks will be this year's cover athlete.

Kesler was drafted 23rd overall by the Canucks in 2003 and has spent his entire career with them. He's been an alternate captain of the team since 2008. He racked up 26 goals and 33 assists last season, his best year so far.

NHL 2K11 will be available exclusively on the Wii this fall. The game will bypass the 360 and PS3 this year so the developers at Visual Concepts have a chance to completely redesign those iterations.