Hobby Musings: Upper Deck Preps for Bedard Mania, New NHL Season – A new hockey season means new hockey cards. With a rookie class that includes Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, collectors are poised and ready to add cards of all the newcomers. Helping to meet that demand will be Upper Deck. I had the chance to catch up with senior sports brand manager, Paul Zickler, to find out with UD has planned for Bedard amid their new releases.
KS: Hockey season is upon us. Connor Bedard is the biggest prospect in this year’s class, as well as the biggest in a number of years. However, he will not have a Young Guns card in Series 1. What went into that decision?
PZ: Over the course of the last few years, the production lead times have greatly increased. We simply would not hold our usual fall release timing with new skating rookies. Although, there is a lot of hype with the 2023 draftees, this is one of the deepest holdover classes in recent memory headlined by Matthew Knies (TOR), Matthew Wolff (CGY), Brock Faber (MIN), and Luke Hughes (NJD), Jakob Pelletier (CGY), Tyson Foerster (PHI) and Simon Edvinsson (DET) just to name a few, who debuted near the end of last season.
KS: For fans and collectors not happy with that decision, what would you say?
PZ: Upper Deck Series 1 is a staple for the beginning of the hockey season, and it supports some big initiatives in the industry. I hope all of us can agree that the fall timing is important to hit.
KS: When will we be seeing Connor Bedard Blackhawks cards, especially his autographs and relic cards?
PZ: We have some redemption cards in MVP, Artifacts and Tim Hortons, where Connor Bedard may pop up. There are also some high-end hits slated for Black Diamond and Trilogy early in the new year.
KS: Aside from Bedard, which rookies should collectors be keeping an eye out for this year?
PZ: Here is the long list…enjoy!
Connor Bedard (CHI)
Adam Fantilli (CBJ)
Logan Cooley (ARI)
Leo Carlsson (ANA)
Matthew Savoie (BUF)
Devon Levi (BUF)
Zach Benson (BUF)
Matthew Knies (TOR)
Matthew Coronato (CGY)
Dustin Wolf (CGY)
Brock Faber (MIN)
This is one of the deepest classes we have seen in quite some time.
KS: Who’s an under-the-radar rookie that should be on collector’s radars?
PZ: Zach Benson (BUF). He is only 18 years old and was drafted 13th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. On a star-studded team, he played so well during the preseason (6 GP, 4G, 3A), the team had no choice but to give him a roster spot. He is a speedster too!
KS: Who’s a veteran player that you think is poised to make a leap with his trading cards this season?
PZ: Juraj Slafkovsky – the 1st overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry draft was limited by injuries last season and entered the league as an 18-year-old in a big Canadian hockey market. He has looked more comfortable this preseason, posting 2G and 1A, and is posed to make a big step forward this year! I believe his trading card value will follow a similar trajectory.
KS: Are there any new aspects of Upper Deck’s hockey cards this season collectors should be looking out for?
PZ: We re-configured our flagship brand including Upper Deck Series 1 for the first time in more than twenty years. It was a big undertaking, but we are excited to introduce the reconfiguration to the market. Collectors will find larger packs, more inserts per pack (now up to 3 per pack) and more Young Guns content. For the first time in the brand’s history, collectors can find a one-of-one Young Guns card (Gold Outburst). UPPER DECK’S FLAGSHIP SERIES WILL SEE A REFRESH!
KS: What is coming out in the near future for hockey products?
PZ: Upper Deck Series 1 will be released Oct. 18. We also have two enticing 22-23 releases hitting the market…Allure (released 10/11) and SP Authentic. Look for those Slafkovsky Rookie cards!!!
Hobby Musings: Upper Deck Preps for Bedard Mania, New NHL Season
Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
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