Playstation 3 owners get a bit of a treat today. Along with the release of NHL 2k9's demo, EA Sports has just announced that it's NHL 09 demo is live on the Playstation Network with the 360 version to follow shortly next month. Enjoy, as the hockey pre-season/season is close to getting under way!

August 21, 2008 – Need your hockey fix? Experience the critically acclaimed EA SPORTS™ NHL franchise in a whole new way with the NHL 09™ demo that is now available on the PLAYSTATION® Network™- Xbox LIVE™ demo to follow in early September. Re-live the excitement of last season’s Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings by stepping into the skates of a top NHL star in the new Be A Pro mode. With a dynamic new camera that puts the focus on your player, Be A Pro is a whole new way to play the greatest game on ice.

The new Be A Pro career mode will put you in the skates of an up and coming superstar. Start in the AHL and work your way up to the NHL, with the ultimate goal of becoming an NHL legend. The new Performance Tracker will rate your play in over 60 categories so you will know exactly what parts of your game you need to improve. NHL 09 will also introduce the evolution of online team play - the EA SPORTS Hockley League. Take your created player online and join a team with friends, or scout for players. Featuring 6 vs. 6 online play and the ability to level up your player - you can become the first great name in videogame hockey.

NHL 09 will ship for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 9th.