LAS VEGAS - JUNE 16: NHL player Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks wears retroreflective markers as he is filmed during 2K Sports' first-ever outdoor hockey motion capture for the upcoming video game, "NHL 2K10" at Caesars Palace June 16, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game is scheduled to be released on September 15, 2009, for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii video game consoles. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Today, 2k Sports announced Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks as the  cover athlete for the upcoming NHL 2K11 game. Kesler is best known as an elite 2-way forward who has been electrifying the game since he was drafted by the Canucks in 2003.

"Having the opportunity to participate in the Olympics and play in front of my home crowd was one of the best experiences of my life.  To now be chosen as the next cover athlete for NHL 2K11 is another dream come true," said Kesler, alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks.  "It was awesome to work with 2K Sports last year on the NHL 2K10 commercial shoot and the outdoor motion capture session on the Las Vegas strip was incredible to be a part of.  I'm looking forward to having just as much fun again, and helping them make another great hockey game this year."

Although Kesler played for Team USA in the recent Vancouver Winter Olympics, I was really hoping that his teammate, Ryan Miller, would be the cover. Ryan Miller personally imitated a wall in all of Team USA's games and was the MVP of the Olympic tournament. NHL 2K11 is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release for the Nintendo Wii.