The world of hockey collectibles is abuzz, and the source of this excitement is an 18-year-old phenomenon rocking the ice with his speed and dazzling offensive maneuvers. Yes, Macklin Celebrini—dubbed “The Cheetah” thanks to his blinding speed—is the young player everyone is talking about. As the NHL’s new season unfurls, his rookie card collection in the 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 has become the apple of collectors’ eyes, and understandably so.
First overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Celebrini became the San Jose Sharks’ secret weapon—or rather, not so secret after all the showcase performances he’s been dishing out. His dynamic playstyle and sharp instincts have painted him as a promising figure in the future of ice hockey, bringing a generous splash of color to a rebuilding Sharks team. Comparisons to past top picks such as Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews are inevitable, but Celebrini wears them lightly, skating to his own tune and etching his name into fans’ hearts with every mesmerizing play.
His adept playmaking, extraordinary goal-scoring capacity, and seemingly boundless hockey IQ are dynamic to say the least. Hockey aficionados and rookie card collectors alike scramble to snatch a piece of what could be history in the making, amid whispers of the Calder Trophy—a race where he frequently features as a top contender, sharing the spotlight with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson.
With Upper Deck Series 2 hitting the market, Celebrini’s Young Guns cards have swiftly turned into a collector’s treasure. Three specific versions of these cards are causing quite the flutter:
1. The Base Young Guns rookie card finds itself a popular gem on the bustling eBay market, boasting a price tag of $200 within mere hours of its release.
2. The Young Guns “Teammates” card, showcasing Celebrini alongside fellow Sharks rookie Will Smith, offers a bit of a price respite at approximately $20, yet demands no less enthusiasm from avid collectors.
3. Finally, the Young Guns checklist card sees Celebrini paired with Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, with each coming in at around $25.
Young Guns cards remain a hallowed pursuit for those invested in the hockey card hobby, especially when they feature elite prospects marking the beginnings of illustrious lanes. Celebrini’s series, therefore, is no different and shows every sign of maintaining its allure well into the season.
Upper Deck cleverly inked an exclusive deal, nabbing the autograph rights to Celebrini’s cards back in July 2024. As a result, any celebratory signature of the young talent is strictly an Upper Deck affair, much to the anticipated delight of collectors who value that rarity and authenticity in autograph hunting. This strategic move further escalates the desirability of Celebrini’s cards, making them not just a potential centerpiece for collection showcases but also a worthy investment.
Even through the tide of hype, Celebrini appears refreshingly grounded. In a candid chat with Puck Junk, the prospect shared, “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.”
Clearly, here is a young man with his eyes on the puck, aligned with his own disciplined goals rather than those imposed by the whirlwind of attention. His work ethic and talent shine through, beautifully complemented by an approachable humility—traits that only enrich the narrative around his cards.
As Macklin Celebrini continues his impressive run on the ice, the Young Guns card chase sees no signs of slowing. His cards embody not just a keen investment for seasoned collectors, but also a starting gate for those new to the intriguing world of hockey collectibles. His rookie cards are expected to follow the footsteps of trailblazers like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, poised to ripple through time as prized collectibles and nostalgic vessels of a promising career’s inception.
For collectors, investors, and hockey fans, this might be just the start of a journey, backed by speed, skill, and the quiet determination of Macklin Celebrini skating ever forward, turning static pieces of cardboard into dynamic, compelling stories frozen in time.
