Czerkawski and Oliwa in Alumni
Dear EA SPORTS NHL Team,
I am writing to you not only as a long-time fan of the EA SPORTS NHL series, but also as a Polish hockey fan who would love to see two important figures in Polish NHL history represented among the Alumni players in NHL 27: Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa.
For Polish hockey fans, Mariusz Czerkawski is much more than simply a former NHL player. He is an icon of Polish hockey and a player who helped create lasting interest in the NHL among an entire generation of fans in Poland.
His NHL career speaks for itself:
• 745 NHL regular-season games
• 215 goals
• 220 assists
• 435 points
• NHL All-Star Game selection in 2000
• Career-high 35 goals during the 1999–2000 season
During his NHL career, Czerkawski represented the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He is particularly associated with the New York Islanders, where he spent several seasons and became one of the team's most recognizable offensive players of that era.
His appearance in the 2000 NHL All-Star Game was also a very special moment for Polish hockey fans. Seeing a Polish player competing alongside some of the greatest NHL stars was an extraordinary achievement for Polish hockey.
However, Mariusz Czerkawski is not the only Polish NHL player whose presence in the Alumni roster would be greatly appreciated.
Krzysztof Oliwa also holds a unique place in Polish hockey history. He played 410 NHL regular-season games and represented the New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames.
Most importantly, Oliwa won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000, becoming the first Polish-born and trained player to win hockey's most prestigious trophy.
Having both an NHL All-Star in Mariusz Czerkawski and a Stanley Cup champion in Krzysztof Oliwa represented in NHL 27 would be something truly special for Polish players and fans.
There is a large and passionate community of NHL fans in Poland. Many Polish fans follow the league despite the significant time difference, stay up late at night to watch NHL games, support NHL teams and have been playing the EA SPORTS NHL series for many years.
For this community, having players such as Czerkawski and Oliwa available as Alumni would mean much more than simply adding another couple of cards to Hockey Ultimate Team. They represent an important part of Polish hockey history and helped introduce generations of Polish fans to the NHL.
Considering that NHL 27 celebrates great players from different eras and countries through its Alumni program, I would therefore like to ask:
Why are Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa currently not included among the Alumni players in NHL 27?
Is their absence related to licensing or image-rights agreements?
And, most importantly, is there any possibility that Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa could be added to NHL 27 in a future update, Alumni release or special Hockey Ultimate Team event?
Czerkawski's NHL career, 435 points and All-Star appearance, combined with Oliwa's Stanley Cup championship, make them excellent candidates to represent Poland among the NHL Alumni.
I am convinced that many NHL and EA SPORTS NHL fans in Poland would be extremely happy to finally see these two important Polish players represented in the game.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. I sincerely hope that the EA SPORTS NHL team will consider bringing Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa to NHL 27.
Greetings from the Polish NHL community!
Kind regards,
Marcin [Edit - CM]
