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The hockey card market is heating up as Macklin Celebrini-mania takes over with the highly anticipated release of Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey. With the San Jose Sharks’ rookie sensation delivering an impressive first NHL season, collectors are scrambling to get their hands on his Young Guns rookie cards, pushing values higher as demand surges.
Drafted first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Macklin Celebrini has quickly become the face of the Sharks’ rebuild. At just 18 years old, the Vancouver native has showcased elite speed, vision, and a lethal scoring touch—earning comparisons to past top picks like Connor Bedard. Nicknamed “The Cheetah” for his breakaway speed and agility, Celebrini’s dynamic play has injected excitement into San Jose’s lineup and given fans hope for the franchise’s future.
His Calder Trophy-worthy season has been fueled by his ability to score in clutch moments and generate offense, making him one of the most electrifying rookies to watch. Alongside fellow young talents like William Eklund and Will Smith, Celebrini has revitalized a struggling Sharks team and turned their games into must-watch events.
With the release of 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, collectors now have three unique Macklin Celebrini Young Guns cards to chase, each offering a different appeal to hobbyists. The hype surrounding these cards is already leading to skyrocketing prices on the secondary market, mirroring the frenzy seen last year with Connor Bedard’s Young Guns release.
The three Celebrini Young Guns cards in UD Series 2 include:
Collectors and investors alike are flocking to hobby shops and online marketplaces, eager to secure these cards before their values climb even higher. Given Celebrini’s electric playstyle and status as a top Calder Trophy contender, demand for his Young Guns cards is expected to remain strong throughout the season.
Recognizing Celebrini’s potential to be a future face of the NHL, Upper Deck signed him to an exclusive autograph deal in July 2024, ensuring that his certified autograph cards will only be available through their products. This partnership adds another layer of exclusivity to Celebrini’s cards, making them even more desirable for collectors seeking autographs of hockey’s brightest young stars.
The hype surrounding his Young Guns release isn’t just about the chase—it’s about securing a piece of what could be the beginning of an all-time great career. If Celebrini continues his upward trajectory, his cards could follow a path similar to those of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews—early releases that turned into long-term collector gold.
Despite the growing comparisons to Bedard and other elite rookies, Celebrini remains focused on his own game. In an interview with Puck Junk, he shared his mindset:
"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."
That focus and dedication make it clear—whether on the ice or in the hobby, Macklin Celebrini is here to stay. As the Young Guns craze takes over the collecting world, fans and investors alike are watching closely, knowing that this could be just the beginning of something special.
