The game that won 19 awards from various media websites for "Best Sports Game" has returned for a new year in NHL 10. With the playoffs ehading towards the respective Easter/Western Conference finals, EA Sports unveiled what will be the newest gameplay features for NHL 10. With new physics engines and fighting engine, EA Sports' NHL series will continue to push the bar yet again.

A new first-person fighting engine enables players to trade punches with an NHL tough guy. Feel what it’s like to be on the ice in the skates of an NHL player to throw and dodge punches. Grab and tug an opponent’s jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to victory. Challenge a skill player and an opposing team tough guy will step in to settle the score.

On ice toughness and intimidation is taken to a new level in NHL 10 where winning one-on-one battles for possession of the puck along the boards becomes a test of will and skill. Utilizing an all-new board physics engine, players can use their body to shield the puck on the boards and then kick-pass it to teammates. Bigger, stronger players pin opponents to the boards while fanatical fans bang on the glass, just like real life. Fore-check defenders, pressure the puck and finish checks to intimidate your opponent into mistakes. Players fatigue, bobble passes, and avoid collisions under threat of constant physical pressure. Inspire teammates, ignite the fans and change the momentum of a game by instigating scrums, drawing penalties, and mixing it up — all after the referee blows the whistle!

All sounds very tasty to me, being a big NHL fan myself. As far as I know, there will be a demo shown at E3 next month, so we can certainly expect a new trailer and some gameplay footage to go a long with it.

UPDATE: Check out more screenshots below

[Via Press Release]