When the collective heart of the hockey world skipped a beat, it wasn’t because of a hat trick or an overtime thriller. Instead, it was due to the much-anticipated drop of Macklin Celebrini’s Young Guns cards in the 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2—a moment that has collectors racing faster than “The Cheetah” himself, Celebrini’s aptly given nickname. Yes, Macklin Celebrini has proved to be a lightning-fast force on the ice, but now he’s also causing a torrid rush off the ice, particularly among avid hockey card collectors and investors.
Imagine the fervor of Black Friday sales, only in the realm of sports memorabilia. That’s the atmosphere surrounding these cards. Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks’ first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has quickly dazzled fans and critics alike, showcasing why he was snatched at the top of his class. The excitement around his early performances has made him a beacon of hope in the Sharks’ rebuilding phase, with his slick maneuvering and killer instincts adding vibrancy to the team’s future prospects.
Known for his speed that can only be described as feline in smoothness and predator-like in precision, Celebrini’s comparison to his peers like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews isn’t mere hyperbole. His ability to shuffle between intense offensive pressure and calculated finesse has hockey enthusiasts repeatedly rewinding game highlights. But while the world marvels at his on-ice presence, the playing field for collectors has been just as dynamic, thanks to Upper Deck’s Series 2 release that includes three coveted editions of his Young Guns cards.
In the world of cardboard and collectibles, the release of a promising player’s rookie card is akin to a royal birth announcement—and in this case, the young “prince” from San Jose is igniting unprecedented market excitement. The baseline Young Guns rookie card is already being snatched up on eBay for around $200, barely hours after appearing. It seems as if this card, like Celebrini himself, is sprinting right out of the inventory lists.
To add more shimmer to the set, the Young Guns “Teammates” card, featuring Celebrini alongside Sharks rookie Will Smith, enters the scene with all the camaraderie and twinning potential fans love, priced around $20. Then there’s the Young Guns checklist card, which pairs Celebrini with Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, another name buzzing in the NHL corridors. These cards are quickly turning into collector staples, much like Celebrini’s nightly contributory goals, often during enthralling double shifts on the Sharks’ offensive lines.
Further solidifying his status in the collecting community, Upper Deck’s exclusive autograph deal with Celebrini—which was inked hot off the summer presses of 2024—means that only their products will hold the coveted scribbles of “The Cheetah.” This exclusivity accentuates the cards’ allure, making its desirability soar to dizzying heights. For collectors, owning an autograph card is akin to clutching a golden ticket, for when Celebrini rises in NHL status akin to legends like McDavid and Crosby, these cards could very well transform into fine investments, turning fleeting cardboard into a lasting treasury item.
No great story is complete without the character pondering the weight of expectation, and Celebrini handles it with refreshing poise. “I have my expectations for myself,” he noted in a candid chat with Puck Junk, skillfully narrating the balance he holds between self-expectation and external pressures. “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.”
In reality, it’s this blend of humility and dedication that fortifies Celebrini’s allure both on and off the ice. The fascination with his budding journey translates seamlessly to the magnetic draw of his trading cards—a connection between sport and memorabilia that gives fans the dual joy of tracking his career with tangible symbols.
As the Calder Trophy race adds another layer of drama this season, Celebrini remains focused on refining his craft. Meanwhile, his cards are like vibrant pieces in a larger mosaic of hockey history in the making. Everyone wants a fragment of what could be an incredible legacy. The Young Guns chase is underway, and much like our puck-commanding idol, there’s an exhilarating rush as collectors and investors hope they’ve spotted a star before it shot to the highest echelons.
With Celebrini showcasing his catalytic talent in every game, it seems the question isn’t why to collect his cards, but merely how fast—hopefully fast enough to keep pace with this born-to-speed phenom in a game and hobby that promises to thrill.
