In an unexpected and innovative twist, Topps is making a return to the ice-bound world of hockey after a twenty-year sabbatical. For those who’ve been long awaiting the classic thrill of ripping open a new pack of hockey trading cards emblazoned with the Topps logo, this may not be the climax of anticipation they were hoping for. Instead, Topps is skating back onto the rink in a larger-than-life format, launching Topps Under Wraps: Emanate 2024-25, a chic idea that’s equal parts nostalgic and fresh.
Historically, Topps was synonymous with hockey trading cards until the 2003-04 season, when Upper Deck, in an exclusive deal, captured the NHL trading card license, sticking Topps on the bench and leaving fans to pine nostalgically over their now vintage sets. But as of April 3, under the auspices of parent company Fanatics, Topps is re-entering the game, albeit not kicking down the door to the trading card vault, but by bringing something entirely different to the collector’s table.
Emanate 2024-25 is a product of Topps’ ingenuity and a dash of nostalgia, offering an 8×10 autographed photograph encased in a folio that cleverly masquerades as an oversized trading card. Each unit comes smartly adorned not only with front and back designs that echo the traditional card format, complete with player photographs and stats but also incorporates the luxury of a hand-signed signature—no gaudy sticker autographs here to spoil the credibility. Collectors’ hearts can now resonate with satisfaction as each photo is bathed in authenticity through serial-numbering and the added safeguard of a hologram.
Sal Barry, a dedicated and sharpened voice in the world of hockey collectibles, was quick to point out the allure of these collectibles in his PuckJunk.com newsletter, noting that even the reverse side of the photos is thoughtfully embellished. The attention to detail will no doubt appeal to seasoned card collectors and new generation fans seeking an outlet for their passion.
Each of these Emanate keepsakes is cradled in a case crafted not just for safekeeping but for display, encouraging collectors to showcase their wares with pride. For those with a penchant for scarcity, Topps has rolled out a seductive array of six color variants: Gold limited to 50 pieces, Orange to 25, Blue to 10, the Red reduced to 5, and the king of them all, the singular Iridescent, a one-of-one masterpiece.
More than just immaculate design and variety, the checklist of players features an exciting array of over 70 beloved personalities from all corners of the NHL. Legends past and stars present like Connor Bedard, Auston Matthews, Alexander Ovechkin, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mark Messier, among others, converge in this gallery. What’s more thrilling are the multigraph pieces—rare multi-signed editions topped by an awe-inspiring 1/1 triple-signed photo boasting signatures from stars like Ovechkin, Bedard, and Matthews, set to make collector’s dreams skate ever closer to reality.
From a monetary perspective, this endeavor won’t send collectors to the penalty box. Each Emanate box, which promises the thrill of a single unique photo, is priced at $130. That’s a small premium for the exclusivity and the opportunity for luck to shine upon those landing a rare variant or multi-signed piece.
While the burning question remains—has Topps truly returned to their hockey card glory days? The answer is nuanced. They aren’t back in the traditional sense where packs are ripped open feverishly like gifts on Christmas morning, rookies immortalized in glossy sheen, or varied base-parallel-variant cards are stacked metabolismically in personal collections. Rather, Topps is wading into fresh waters with Emanate, teasing the possibility of resurgence while grounding themselves firmly in reality. With Fanatics cruising in control of many of the hobby’s licensing lanes, it’s not far-fetched to ponder what would come next from them.
So perhaps Topps isn’t quite ready to reclaim its old crown, but by offering a new chapter in hockey memorabilia, they’ve certainly signaled their intent to stay in the game. Fans of iconic sports memorabilia might need to wait a little longer for those beloved card packs, but with this novel entry, they have something exciting to capture their imagination until then—a conversation starter and a collector’s dream shimmering like ice under arena lights.
