NHL 2004 Cover variation?

[FantasiaWHT]

Just got a copy of NHL 2004 for the PS2 in my EB with a cover I had never seen before- a different guy in a different jersey than all the rest.

what's the story behind this? Is it rare?

[DStriemer]

As far as I know it is not rare at all. The original cover of the game had Atlanta Thrashers star Dany Heatley.....Until he crashed his car and killed teammate Dan Snyder. After this happened EA folded under public pressure and put Joe Sakic from the Colorado Avalanche on the rest of the copies that year.

I have personally seen numerous copies of both.

[MarioAllStar2600]

I remember a few people here saying they have never seen the Dan Heatley GC cover, so I guess the other one is more popular. I have bought the Dan Heatly cover 2 times. 1 time, and replace it when it got stolen. I don't think I have ever seen the other one actually.
Poor Heatley, gets a cover then they pull it for driving like an idiot. I think he cared more about his carrer being pretty much ruined when he was goign to be one of the greatest players in the league. :/

[zot wildstarr]

I have been actively researching this subject for the last year. Here is what I have concluded:

1. The Dany Heatley cover was the initial and main release for all three systems Xbox, PS2, and GC. In my opinion, it is the most common of the two.

2. The Joe Sakic cover was released later in the season last year, and I have found it for ONLY the PS2.

I don't have specific numbers to rely on, but it is logical that most of the EA sports games are sold just prior to, and at the beginning of an upcoming season. This would support the Heatley cover being less common. The incident which he was involved happened after the game was released.