At one point they were simply a piece of cardboard with a player in an action photo on one side, stats, and a short blurb about his career on the back. Oh, and who can forget the iconic piece of pink powdered bubble gum that lost its taste after three chews?
Over the years, those same cards that you once shoved into a shoe box or stuck to your bike spokes to make a clicking sound have morphed into coveted collectibles that come with an astronomical value. Now, you will find fans tucking those same cards tucked gently into plastic pages, or hard cases, protecting their potential riches.
There are several factors that come into play when determining the value of these pieces of hockey memorabilia
Player Performance – Their on-ice success individually and as a team and popularity are the most significant factor.
Condition – Certified cards will draw in the most money, with a PSA rating of 10 being a flawless card.
Production – The number of cards, or lack of them, available to the public will factor into the card’s value.
Age – While there are several modern-day cards that have value, older cards with historical significance often carry a premium price.
Wayne Gretzky – 1979 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card #18
Any hockey conversation about greatness must kick off with no one else but Wayne Gretzky. Nicknamed the “Great One” for obvious reasons, his 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie card is the holy grail of hockey cards. Featuring Gretzky in a casual skating pose wearing his Edmonton Oilers jersey, the card sold for $3,760,000 at a 2021 Heritage Auction. With just two of approximately 7,411 of his existing rookie cards in existence grading at a PSA 10, the demand for Gretzky’s card is at an all-time high. For those who have slightly shallower pockets, Topps offers a similar card (minus the French writeup on the back) for a much cheaper price.
Mario Lemieux – 1985 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card #9
Whether you call him “Super Mario” or “The Magnificent One”, Mario Lemieux would become one of the greatest players in hockey history. A simple yet effective photo of Lemieux is the highlight of the 1985 set and with just 1% of the cards in existence rating a PSA 10, it ranks among the most sought-after ever. Leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, Lemieux finished his illustrious career capturing three Hart Trophies, six Art Ross Trophies, and two Conn Smythe awards.
The world of hockey card collecting brings together a unique combination of sports history, investment, and fun. The five cards listed above represent not only five of the best players in NHL history but also the five most expensive cards on the market due to a combination of player greatness, historical significance, and rarity. The increased popularity of sports betting in Canada has helped to bring awareness and interest to the sports card market as more and more fans dissect player stats, watch games/highlights, and place bets on their favorite teams and players. With the rise of fan engagement, the demand for sports memorabilia has grown, including the demand for cards of iconic and favorite players.
Bobby Orr – 1966 Topps Rookie Card #35
Gretzky’s wizardry offensively is that of Bobby Orr’s talent on the defensive end of the ice. But Orr wasn’t just any defenseman, recording six straight seasons of 101 points or more (which included at least 29 goals). A winner of eight straight Norris Trophies, Orr spent his first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, helping the team capture two Stanley Cups. Orr’s rookie card, which features a simple headshot of the rookie in a vintage television set frame most recently sold at a Heritage Auction for $276,000. Unfortunately for Orr and his fans, his renegade style of play led to injuries that limited his NHL career to just twelve seasons.
Connor McDavid – 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Rookie Card #197
Tagged “The Next One” since his first game as an Edmonton Oiler, Connor McDavid has done everything but deliver a Stanley Cup to the City of Champions.
Winner of three Art Ross Trophies, three Ted Lindsay awards, and two Hart Trophies during his first seven seasons, McDavid found himself and the Oilers on the verge of a championship, reaching the Finals this season. Unlike other cards on this list, McDavid’s Upper Deck The Cup rookie card features more glitz and glamour with an autographed patch and was limited to just 99 printed.
Bobby Hull – 1958 Topps Rookie Card #66
Over the course of his twenty-three seasons split between the NHL and the WHL, Bobby Hull was one of the most prolific scorers in hockey history. With a combination of speed, talent, a booming slapshot, and blond hair, the “Golden Jet” would become one of the greatest players in NHL history. A three-time Art Ross Trophy recipient and two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Hull helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. Unfortunately for hockey card collectors, there are a limited number of PSA-certified cards rated higher than an 8 due to the card being placed at the bottom corner of uncut sheets, which resulted in poor centering ratios.
