If there is one thing that hockey players know, it’s the value of teamwork. Putting on all of that clunky padding and trying to hit a small ball with a huge stick can be physically taxing, but it’s also mentally challenging. Not only do players get a great workout, but they also learn how to work together, be supportive of teammates and build a sense of community that will carry them throughout their lives.
For collectors, this sense of community is even more evident on the hobby’s most popular rookie cards, the Young Guns. The Young Guns subset has been around in many different forms and takes, but it’s never lost its appeal. The Young Guns are arguably the most iconic rookie cards in the entire NHL and they have continued to gain popularity since their return to Upper Deck’s flagship line in 1999-00. Despite the rise of autographs and parallels, the Young Guns have continued to shine and have cemented themselves as some of the most popular base rookie cards in the entire hobby.
Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks’ first-round pick in 2023, has his first-ever Young Guns card in this year’s set. He’s joined by Anaheim Ducks rookie Leo Carlsson and Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary.
All of these rookies are battling for minutes on the ice but they’re all sharing the same rookie card in this year’s flagship set, Upper Deck Series 1. The young guns were included in the set in an effort to give fans and collectors a chance to see some of the hottest rookies on the market.
While the set does have some rare parallels and reprints, most of the cards are very affordable. Some of the top cards include Auston Matthews, Marc-Andre Fleury and Connor McDavid. All of these players have Young Guns rookie cards, and all have their own unique story to tell about how they made it onto the NHL roster.
McDavid is the best player in the league today and his Young Guns rookie card has been incredibly valuable. A PSA 10 copy of his card can sell for close to $5,000.
Regardless of whether you collect Young Guns or not, this year’s 2023-24 Upper Deck Series 1 has something for everyone. In addition to the usual base set, it features a few new parallels including Outburst Silver, Outburst Red and Outburst Gold which are all 1-of-1 cards. Having these cards in your collection is a great way to add some excitement and make it more interesting for collectors of all ages. You can find the full set of Upper Deck Series 1 on Beckett’s website. We’re also running a promotion where you can save up to 40% off the list price of the set. Click here to find out more. The sale ends December 31st. So don’t miss out!