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The National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago wrapped up on Sunday, marking a grand celebration of sports memorabilia. Among the highlights, hockey card enthusiasts have been buzzing about the 2025-26 Upper Deck NHL Ultimate Collection, which hit the market on July 22 and has quickly become a standout release for the year.
This set boasts some of the most impressive hockey cards of the season, and here are the five that stand out the most, offering a glimpse into the excitement that the convention and this collection have generated.
Key Analysis
At number five is the Ultimate Heroes Auto Patch /15 featuring Martin Brodeur, which sold on eBay on August 1 for $357.27. This card is part of a series that also includes legends like Joe Sakic and Doug Gilmour.
Fourth on the list is the 4 Nations Face-Off Patch /10 of Auston Matthews, showcased in a joint Instagram video by @UpperDeckSports and @da_casualtroy, capturing the Team USA center with a wide grin.
Taking the third spot is the Rookie Tandem Shield /2 featuring Michael Misa and Macklin Celebrini. This dynamic duo is poised for stardom, and San Jose Sharks fans will be especially thrilled to watch their development. The set also includes tandems like Ivan Demidov and Cole Caufield of the Canadiens, and Connor Bedard with Artyom Levshunov of the Blackhawks.
Second place goes to the Ultimate Shield Auto 1-of-1 of Connor McDavid, a card that surfaced shortly after release, pulled by @Breezythebreaker on Instagram. This remarkable find is part of the Ultimate Shield Autos series, which also features Nikita Kucherov, Connor Hellebuyck, and Clayton Keller.
Topping the list is the Ultimate Rookies Auto Shield 1-of-1 of Gabe Perreault. Selected 23rd overall by the New York Rangers in 2023, Perreault has proven to be a steal, solidifying his role in his rookie campaign and emerging as a key piece for the Blueshirts. His card, numbered 94, features a sleek design with the NHL shield patch alongside a portrait of the promising talent.
Additionally, the set includes a 1-of-1 Auto Shield for Matthew Schaefer, which is expected to be one of the top hockey cards of the year given his rising profile. The 2025-26 Upper Deck NHL Ultimate Collection offers a wealth of exciting cards for collectors and fans alike.