The revolutionary Skill Stick control is now being further developed to give players greater opportunities in the repository game, where you can now swipe the club to block passing paths and lift your opponents club to prevent direct shots. Now you can also play 6-on-6 in teams Online, where 12 players on 12 different consoles can meet in matches, regardless of where in the world you are. Another news is that the game now contains teams from three new leagues: Russian, Czech and German. For players who have not tried the NHL series before, there is now a simplified control, where you can easily shoot, pass and tackle.

NHL 09 also includes Be a Pro, a game mode that lets you take on the role of a specific player, and follow the game on the ice with a new dynamic third-person camera. The built-in performance meter rates your efforts in over 50 categories, and you will receive information on everything you need to develop to become the next big NHL star.