Former two-time gold medallist is the first women's colour commentator to be featured in a video hockey game.
Cheryl Pounder never really considered herself a gamer.
Growing up, her family had a Commodore 64. And then an Atari 2600. But aside from wasting quarters on an arcade Frogger machine, she mostly grew up outdoors rather than in front of a TV.
That might have to change now that the former Olympic hockey player has replaced Ray Ferraro as the color commentary voice for EA Sports’ NHL24. The game is scheduled for release on Oct. 6.
EA Sports has already revealed new details for the game presentation, which reportedly includes new goal celebrations, camera angles, lighting effects, and an enriched crowd atmosphere. But some of the biggest news comes with the broadcast, with Pounder joining play-by-play voice James Cybulski and ringside analyst Carrlyn Bathe.
“It’s sort of surreal,” Pounder said in a phone interview with The Hockey News. “I was never really involved with gaming, but I can’t wait to play it. Be warned, I’m pretty competitive.”
It’s that competitive streak that led the Mississauga, Ont., native to becoming one of the greatest women’s hockey players, winning Gold medals for Team Canada at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics. Since retiring, she’s moved over to the broadcast booth, appearing on the hockey panel for TSN and calling NHL games.
It was at TSN where she also worked alongside Ferraro, who after eight years decided to step down as the voice of NHL24 to spend time with family.
“When Ray decided to hang them up, so to speak, he texted me saying I should audition for the position,” said Pounder. “I wasn’t sure about it, but my kids were prodding me to do it.”
Pounder spent the past season as the color commentator for the Ottawa Senators, but she quickly learned that calling a live game and a video game is completely different. For one, every bit of commentary is scripted. And there’s no live visuals.
“The audition was a Zoom session with James Cybulski,” said Pounder. “It would be like it’s the first five minutes of the first period and the away team scores the first goal. James did the goal call and I had to chime in. So you’re sitting in your studio and you have to think of something. But it can’t be too specific, because you have to use that for multiple teams.
“That’s a challenge. Once you wrap your head around it, you can process it a little differently.”
Over the past 12 months, Pounder has been recording her lines. It’s been a tedious process. She literally has to say everyone’s name who is in the game. And she has to describe the same play in 10 or 20 different ways.
“There was a lot of lemon, honey, and water for me,” said Pounder, laughing. “Because there’s been much content with Ray and they’re switching the game over, there was a lot more work to be done in Year One for me. It’s like reading the phone book. You need buckets of different scenarios so it’s not repetitive. So if the shot’s wide, you say it’s wide but 10 or 20 different ways. And the energy has to be the same, because it has to be stitched together.”
Pounder hasn’t had a chance to play the game yet, but believes that her inclusion — and the inclusion of women’s hockey from past editions — will further grow the sport.
“It’s amazing when you can play a video game and you’ve got Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse and all these amazing athletes and they’re becoming recognizable within the hockey community,” she said. “When I was playing as a young girl, there wasn’t the same opportunity or avenues. Now, when young athletes play the game and they can see the names, it’s pretty amazing that this is where it’s come to. And my daughters can emulate these players.”
“It’s sort of surreal for me. I coach young women and I see their journeys and how much they love the game. I’m proud of the opportunity I’ve been given and grateful as well.
“I’m proud of it, for sure. It’s continued visibility.”
Stay tuned for deep dives, impressions, and more on The Hockey News Gaming Site.