EA Sports Names Cheryl Pounder as New Color Commentator in NHL 24

Gold medallist Cheryl Pounder replaces Ray Ferraro as the color commentator in EA Sports NHL 24 as part of new presentation updates in the video game.

From winning gold medals to entering the broadcast booth, Cheryl Pounder now has another role on her resumé.

EA Sports released the trailer and newest details for NHL 24, the newest edition of their hockey video-game franchise. The game is scheduled for release on Oct. 6, the earliest release date since before the COVID-19 pandemic. THN.com/gaming has all there is to know about the announcement here.

As part of the announcement, EA Sports revealed new details for game presentation, which it said includes new goal celebrations, camera angles, lighting effects and an enriched crowd atmosphere. But some of the biggest news comes with the broadcast, as EA Sports announced Pounder will join the color-commentary booth.  

The commentary team since NHL 20 has been play-by-play James Cybulski and color commentator Ray Ferraro, with Carrlyn Bathe becoming the first woman broadcaster voice for the franchise in NHL 21 as a rinkside analyst. Now, a spokesperson confirmed that Pounder will be the only color commentator – Ferraro stepped away from his EA Sports duties after eight years and calling games for TSN after 14 years to spend more time with family and continue with ESPN ahead of last season.

Before hitting the airwaves, Pounder had a successful playing career. Growing up in Mississauga, Ont., she captained Team Ontario and won the 1993 National Under-18 Championship. Pounder then made her international debut in the 1994 women's World Championship with Team Canada, winning gold at the tournament that year as well as 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2007. Although Canada settled for silver in 2005, Pounder made the tournament all-star team.

Pounder, 47, also took part in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City and the 2006 Olympics in Turin, winning gold both times. 

She's appeared on sports broadcasts as an analyst and color commentator for around a decade, including the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games. But Pounder's role expanded as of the 2021-22 season, as she appeared on TSN's regional coverage of the Ottawa Senators, the 2022-23 World Junior Championship, the women's worlds and more. She also took turns on TSN's NHL panel and appeared in the 2022 and 2023 NHL trade deadline shows.

NHL 24 will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

For more NHL 24 and hockey eSports news, check out TheHockeyNews.com/gaming.