NHL 25 Be A Pro Beginner's Guide & Career Mode Tips

With hockey season almost here, players can already hit the ice in NHL 25 Be A Pro to craft their own legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Difficult early choices like picking the right archetype are critical, as the wrong pick could force you to start over after investing time into a save in order to use a different style.

We've got all the tips new players need in this NHL 25 Be A Pro beginner's guide, but even veteran players could use a refresher. Whether you're trying to decide how to get started or looking to make the most of a save you're already a season into, these NHL 25 tips could make all the difference

NHL 25 Be A Pro Beginner's Guide & Tips

While plenty of gameplay tuning changes and adjustments can be felt throughout Be A Pro this year, very little has changed since NHL 24. It could be fun to try a different type of player in a familiar game mode, but dedicated career mode players could always jump back to NHL 24 Be A Pro if they wanna save some money and wait for more significant changes come NHL 26.

The core NHL 25 controls also have only had a few minor changes, but certain positions could feel very different this year. Anyone playing a physical player looking for a lot of hits will need to settle into the new hitting system which puts more emphasis on each factor that influences hit power, and big hits will keep players down for longer periods of time. As for goalies, some of the post-launch NHL 24 updates added a few new layers to the goalie system that have gotten a bit more polished in NHL 25.

Character details like appearance, gender, or name are entirely up to personal preference and won't have a major impact on your Be A Pro save. The most important aspects to consider are your position, archetype, handedness, height, and weight. Handedness is key because some of the more complex shot and deke types in NHL 25 actually have different right-handed and left-handed controls. You might also wanna make sure you're using the best skating style in NHL 25 to keep speed at the max, and fortunately that can be changed even in an ongoing save. 

What is the best Archetype in NHL 25?

The best NHL 25 archetype will depend largely on your personal playstyle and choice of position. If you're new to the series or still getting back into the swing of things after a while, it's best to spend some time in a few other modes before diving full force into Be A Pro. Try some Play Now games, experience Franchise Mode, or just spend some time in practice to see what you're enjoying the most.

If you're still a bit unsure and want a versatile option at forward, Playmaker tends to be the easiest to adjust to and offers a balanced build you can further specialize. You'll have great Puck Control, Passing, and Speed with the ability to focus future ability upgrades on the type of shooting you prefer. The Power archetype is perfect for physical scorers, Sniper is ideal for dedicated shooters, and nothing delivers hits like Grinder. Finally, Two-Way is great if you enjoy handling both defense and offense throughout each game.

For players in defensive positions, Enforcer is your physical go-to archetype. Two-Way has the same benefits as at forward, Offensive Defensemen will fight to get the puck into the offensive zone to setup shots for others, and Defensive Defensemen are shot blocking anchors. Finally, Goalies can choose from Stand-up, Butterfly, and Hybrid archetypes which depend more on how you prefer to handle saves in the net.

How to Pick Your Team in Be A Pro

Once you've decided which position and archetype are the best fit, choosing a team generally comes down to three factors. If you're a huge fan of a specific team and really wanna see your pro with that franchise, choose to start in the NHL so you can choose your favorites. If you'd rather experience the drive towards the draft and see where the chips fall, you can start in Europe or the CHL's Memorial Cup where on-ice performance and a series of interviews will determine how highly you're drafted.

The other big factor to consider is a team's needs at a given position. Once you know what position you want to play, head to Rosters from the main menu and go to Player Movement. If you want to start earlier or wanna be the successor to a position that a star currently has a lock on, find the team roster that will best help you accomplish that goal.

Coach Feedback, Trait Points, and More Career Mode Tips

When you're playing each game in Be A Pro, don't overlook or underestimate the value of Coach Feedback. Meeting the goals that are set for you will help you track your own progression and go a long way towards building team trust. Be sure to make use of all your regular Training Hours, and don't sim too far ahead if you don't wanna miss out on those benefits.

Between your own on-ice progression and regular training, you'll earn Trait Points that largely boost your specific attribute ratings but will also give you access to several unique bonuses. At the same time, keep an eye on Salary Perks. As you earn money in a long-term career, these perks are full of both temporary and permanent upgrades. With a little work and a few extra benefits, you should be leading your NHL 25 team to the Stanley Cup in no time.