In the bustling world of hockey collectibles, a star is born, not on the ice alone, but on glossy cardboard. Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks’ sensational rookie, is the latest name to set the collecting world on fire, with Upper Deck’s 2024-25 Series 2 release featuring his much-lauded Young Guns cards. As the hockey season unfolds, Celebrini, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, is not just making waves on the ice but also setting collector forums ablaze with his rookie cards’ skyrocketing values. It’s as if the hockey gods have whispered his name, and collectors are scrambling to answer the call.
Celebrini, at just 18 years old, has swiftly turned the hockey rink into his personal stage. Dubbed “The Cheetah” for his lightning-fast skating prowess, Celebrini embodies the kind of dynamic play that infuses life into a franchise finding its way. The Sharks are in the throes of a rebuild, and Celebrini is the glistening beacon lighting their road. Gifted with an intuitive offensive mind and a penchant for scoring, he evokes the awe that only a handful of young talents like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews have managed before him. But it’s not just his on-ice brilliance that defines him; it’s the race for the Calder Trophy, where he’s a heavyweight contender against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, that has further magnified his aura.
And then there’s the cardboard conquest. Welcome to the Upper Deck’s Series 2 lineup, where Celebrini’s Young Guns cards are not merely pieces of memorabilia; they’re treasures in the making, each with its own tale to tell. First, there’s the Base Young Guns rookie card, already a darling among collectors, fetching hefty sums—$200 to be precise, and that’s just hours post-release. It’s a palpable sense of urgency akin to Christmas Eve madness, where every collector becomes an excited child again, hoping to find that special card under the tree.
For those who cherish connections forged on the rink, the Young Guns “Teammates” card, showcasing a budding camaraderie with fellow Sharks rookie Will Smith, adds a touch of narrative flair, almost like a buddy cop film on ice—valued at a cool $20. Meanwhile, the Young Guns checklist card, a marriage of talent featuring Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov alongside Celebrini, tells of hockey’s future tangled destinies, commanding $25 with elegance as it bridges fandoms.
The fervor isn’t merely about collecting; it’s an art, an investment. Upper Deck, with their shrewd foresight, clinched an exclusive autograph deal with Celebrini in mid-2024—a masterstroke ensuring that every inked card is a piece of the young prodigy’s burgeoning legacy, accessible only through their vaults. Such exclusive cards are akin to golden tickets, coveted and cherished, bound to appreciate like fine wine as Celebrini carves his niche in the annals of hockey greats reminiscent of McDavid and Crosby.
Yet, as the world watches and wallets open, Celebrini remains remarkably grounded. He’s heard the chatter, the inevitable comparisons to Bedard and hockey’s prodigal sons, and he shrugs it off with refreshing nonchalance. In a candid tête-à-tête with Puck Junk, Celebrini laid out his ethos:
“I have my expectations for myself. I’m not really comparing myself to other guys like Bedard. I know what I can do, and I’m just going to try to play my game. I can’t really control the results, so I’m just going to focus on the day-to-day and try to get better.”
It’s this humility, juxtaposed with ambition, that might be his greatest play yet—revving the engines of collectors and investors who know they’re not just buying a piece of card but investing in a narrative, a legacy in the making.
As Celebrini’s cards continue to generate buzz and attract bids, there’s little doubt among aficionados and collectors alike: this is more than just a collecting sensation. It’s a moment, one to be remembered, where the intersection of raw talent and investment potential converges, setting the stage for what could be an enduring legend in both the hockey and collector circles. Macklin Celebrini, both the player and the card, is a name scripted atop the banners of hockey lore and collector’s cabinets—promising a thrilling narrative yet to unfold.
