Macklin Celebrini, a name that has swiftly become synonymous with excitement, skill, and potential within the world of hockey, is now making waves in an entirely different arena: the trading card market. The 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey release has flung open the gates of fandom, sparking a veritable treasure hunt as collectors scramble to secure his Young Guns rookie cards. It’s a fervor-driven chase propelled by Celebrini’s sterling debut with the San Jose Sharks, the NHL team that snagged him with their top overall draft pick.
Let’s rewind a bit to understand the meteoric rise of this youthful dynamo. Drafted first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Macklin Celebrini has been an embodiment of precisely why scouts were so high on him. This 18-year-old dynamo has been a revelation on ice, dazzling with his remarkable speed and offensive acumen. A beacon of hope for a Sharks team in the process of rebuilding, Celebrini stands out with night after night of standout performances, carving his niche in the annals of memorable rookie seasons.
Dubbed “The Cheetah” due to his unmatched skating prowess, Celebrini naturally draws comparisons to league stalwarts like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews. His flair for playmaking, coupled with a sniper’s precision when it comes to scoring goals, has not just revved up excitement levels and boosted ticket sales; it has also cemented his status as one of the most thrilling young guns to watch this season. In the heat of the Calder Trophy race, he finds himself a formidable contender alongside talents such as Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman, Lane Hutson.
Cue Upper Deck Series 2—a collector’s dreamland—where three distinct Macklin Celebrini Young Guns cards have emerged as must-have items. The hobby’s buzz is palpable, and the secondary market has shown an immediate uptick in prices, mirroring the fervent demand for these collectibles.
At the center of this market mania are three Celebrini Young Guns cards:
1. **Base Young Guns rookie card**: The quintessential rookie card, this base has already seen prices soar to $200 on eBay as collectors rush to grab a piece of history within 24 hours of its release.
2. **Young Guns “Teammates” card**: This cherished collaboration features fellow Sharks rookie Will Smith and sees a valuation around $20—a more accessible option for budget-conscious collectors.
3. **Young Guns checklist card**: This gem, paired with Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, has carved its own niche, retailing at $25, further fuelling the competitive chase.
Given Celebrini’s glowing reputation and the insatiable appetite for Young Guns releases focused on elite prospects, these cards are forecasted to retain their desirability in perpetuity.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Upper Deck has capitalized on Celebrini’s sizzling start by securing an exclusive autograph deal with him in July 2024. This strategic maneuver ensures that any authentic Celebrini autograph must bear the Upper Deck hallmark, magnifying their allure among dedicated collectors.
As Celebrini shines, there’s whispering among enthusiasts about his cards potentially following the trajectory of those from past luminaries such as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Once rookie cards, they’ve evolved into rarefied investment pieces—the holy grails of hockey card collecting.
Beyond the sheen of trading cards and autograph deals, there’s Macklin Celebrini, the grounded, ever-improving athlete. In an earnest conversation with Puck Junk, Celebrini brushes off the comparisons—like those to Bedard—as distractions that he acknowledges but doesn’t dwell on:
“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.”
Such perspectives reveal more than just humility—they may unlock a key trait shared by the greatest: focused self-improvement over hype.
Celebrini’s talent, coupled with a steadfast work ethic, positions him to steadily elevate his impact on the NHL. His rookie card buzz continues to lure both die-hard collectors and savvy investors, convinced that these pieces are the foundation of an enduring legacy. The Young Guns frenzy is no mere flash in the pan; rather, it’s a bellwether of things to come in a vintage year for Macklin Celebrini aficionados. Be it on ice or in collections, the young star’s legacy is shaping up to be evergreen, radiant, and storied—one card at a time.
