Know Your Role: Strategy Roles in NHL Rivals 2004

Hockey players know the role they have to play. Unless they’ve taken one-too-many pucks to the noggin, they have a clear understanding of their positions and know how to best apply their skills. NHL Rivals 2004 is bringing that sense of purpose and realism to the small screen in the form of player roles and special moves. What that means for hockey fans-both casual and hardcore alike-is that each man on the ice can be used in one of four ways. It adds a subtle element of strategy, while keeping the action blazing. Let’s take a look at the different roles.

Player Role Icon
When you select a player, several concentric circles appear under the character. These circles indicate statistical information, stamina rating, and ”Fuse Meter” status. A small colored circle to the bottom left, meanwhile, denotes the player’s role. There are four different iceman “dispositions”: Sniper, Agitator, Enforcer, and Balanced. Each one has a unique symbol to differentiate it and comes with a special set of moves that can be executed by holding and releasing the B button when that player is selected.

Sniper

No, the sniper’s hockey stick does not shoot lasers or have a scope. (This is hockey we’re talking about, not roller ball.) The sniper role in hockey is assigned to the skilled few with the deadliest aim—with a puck, that is. While they are not the biggest or the fastest bruisers on the pond, these marksmen possess the shooting skills that can make all the difference. While in possession of the puck, the sniper can pull a spin-around move to evade defensive players. Without the puck, snipers can do a stick clip to block shots.

Agitator

This role might sound like your brother’s favorite metal band, and in hockey—appropriately enough—the agitator specializes in being as annoying to the opposition as your brother’s musical tastes are to you. Agitators are nimble and quick and have a couple of special moves to back up their reputation. On offense, they have a puck-protecting move to keep the biscuit away from defenders. Their defensive move, known as a “Face Wash,” comes off like a Three Stooges trick—they shove an open glove into the face of the offense. Wise guy, eh?

Enforcer

Think of enforcers as the state police of ice country. They are big and burly (and probably eat a lot of donuts to maintain their not-so-sculpted physique). It’s up to the enforcers to bully the enemy team and make life easier for their own. Sure, enforcers may not skate like Olympiads or shoot like marksmen, but these hulking mammoths have a few tricks up their sleeves. With the puck, they can pull a bump and go, knocking the other guy out of the way, while still holding onto the puck. When these guys are on defense, though, look out! A “Can Opener” from the dreaded enforcer just might knock your mullet back into fashion again.

Balanced

The large majority of the players on the rink are of the balanced type. They aren’t exceptionally good at any particular skill, but they’re adequate at all of them. Their special move is protecting the puck from stick checks while in possession.

With an arsenal of different player roles, NHL Rivals 2004 adds depth to an already ambitious list of features. Learn the controls and know your roles, if you want to take the cup. See you on the ice!

By Jim W. Gettys