<Tr> <Th> Mode (s) </Th> <Td> Single - player, multiplayer </Td> </Tr> <P> NHL 17 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports . It is the 26th installment in the NHL game series and was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles in September 2016 . </P> <P> Using the Ignite engine developed by Electronic Arts, NHL 17 features gameplay improvements in terms of artificial intelligence and physics . The game also features several game modes, including Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), a trading card - based team building mode, the fan - favorite EA Sports Hockey League, an online co-operative play mode and a revamped version of "Be a GM", a simulation mode where the player acts as a team's general manager, titled "Franchise Mode", which now features team owners . New modes were also added, with key additions including the World Cup of Hockey tournament mode as well as Draft Champions, a fantasy draft spin - off of HUT . A newer Creation Zone is added into the game, featuring an expansive team builder as well as an arena creator . All 27 teams from the ECHL are also playable, for the first time . The game, similar to the past two NHL titles, features presentation in the style of the NHL on NBC . </P> <P> Prior to the game's release, several trailers were released for it, detailing its development progress and the improvements in certain parts of the game . The game also had three pre-order tiers, each coming with different amounts of in - game content . A public beta for the game was initiated prior to the game's release for testing . It contained the HUT, EASHL and Online Versus modes as well as the Creation Zone . Critics who played the beta wrote generally positive reviews and noted it as a good precursor to the full game . Upon its release, NHL 17 received generally positive reviews from critics . The gameplay improvements and new additions to the game mainly received praise, while criticism was aimed at some lack of depth and general innovation . </P>

What does goa stand for in nhl 17