Hockey enthusiasts, collectors, and investors alike have found a thrilling new obsession: Macklin Celebrini’s Young Guns rookie cards, which have burst onto the scene with the release of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey collection. Celebrini, the 18-year-old ice prodigy drafted first overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has captivated fans not only on the rink but also in the collector’s market, sparking a frenzy over his highly-coveted rookie cards.
Affectionately dubbed “The Cheetah” for his blistering speed, Celebrini has rapidly become a beacon of hope for the rebuilding Sharks team with his dazzling offensive prowess. Comparisons to legendary talents like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews abound, as Celebrini’s mastery on the ice displays a blend of high hockey IQ, swift skating, and astute playmaking that has reinvigorated the Sharks’ gameplay and made him a pivotal figure in the Calder Trophy contention.
The buzz around Celebrini extends beyond his on-ice heroics, as his rookie cards have turned into must-have treasures for collectors. The three special Macklin Celebrini Young Guns cards, released in the Upper Deck Series 2, are driving a whirlwind of excitement in the secondary market. Among them, the standard base Young Guns rookie card is especially sought after, reaching prices around $200 on eBay shortly after its release. Meanwhile, the “Teammates” card, showcasing Celebrini alongside fellow Shark rookie Will Smith, finds itself priced at $20, with the Young Guns checklist card, shared with Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, fetching $25.
Upper Deck has capitalized on this burgeoning hype, securing an exclusive autograph deal with Celebrini. This strategic partnership, formed in July 2024, ensures that any autographed cards of this burgeoning star player will only be available through Upper Deck products, thus amplifying the value and desirability of his cards. Collectors keen on owning a piece of potential hockey history are eagerly snapping up Celebrini’s rookie releases, which are poised to follow the path of seminal players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby in terms of their long-term investment appeal.
As heads swivel toward the starry-eyed young forward, Celebrini himself remains notably grounded. Despite the inevitable comparisons to other emerging stars like Bedard, Celebrini is focused on his personal growth. In an introspective conversation with Puck Junk, he reflected on his approach, saying, “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.”
The humility and focus expressed by Celebrini are not only refreshing but also indicative of his seriousness about making a lasting impact in the NHL. His dedication to honing his craft rather than being swept up in media comparisons showcases maturity beyond his years, aligning perfectly with the stoic traits collectors often admire in long-term investment talents.
The buzz surrounding Celebrini’s Young Guns cards indicates this could be the starting flicker in a much larger fire engulfing the hockey card landscape. As more collectors vie for a piece of Celebrini’s rookie year action, this period might be reminisced in the future as a landmark time in the sport’s memorabilia domain—where a young player’s early career brilliance breathed fresh life and vigorous energy into the sports collectors’ universe.
For a player with such astonishing potential, every drop of ink, every autograph, becomes a symbolic contract between Celebrini and the legacy of hockey history—a testament etched into cherished card stock that may well transform into priceless artifacts for the world’s hockey ardent. The anticipation, treasury dynamics, and collectible craze surrounding Macklin Celebrini’s cards have simultaneously laid the groundwork for a sensational narrative that intertwines Celebrini’s emergent career with the timeless allure of hockey as a sport that, much like his skating, knows no bounds.
