2026-27 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey: The Top Young Guns & Rookie Cards to Chase

When it comes to hockey, there are all kinds of newfangled metrics: Corsi, Fenwick, Ice Tilt, Offensive Intensity, and xG, just to name a few. But even as analytics continue to take hold of the game, there’s still one golden rule: pucks on net.

With today’s release of 2026-27 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey (hobby), NHL card collectors have a chance at a breakaway: coveted Young Guns cards from 49 rookies will make their debut. The set has served as hockey’s benchmark rookie card since Upper Deck’s first NHL release in 1990, and while highly touted newcomers like the 2026 NHL Draft’s number one overall pick, Gavin McKenna, don’t have enough games under their belt to qualify for inclusion, hockey card collectors certainly won’t be shy about taking a chance at greatness in the form of Anton Frondell, Cole Hutson, James Hagens, and more.

As we wait for Courtyard’s own inventory of 2026-27 Young Guns, all of which will be graded and authenticated, we’ve got plenty of hockey rookie cards from current superstars that have the Corsi to back up their greatness.

Let’s light the lamp!

What's in 2026-27 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey?

Here’s what collectors are getting in Upper Deck Series 1:

• A 250-card base set: Including 198 veterans, 49 Young Guns rookies, and three checklist cards. Hobby boxes, which feature 12 packs, each containing 12 cards, are preselling for around $140 and average six Young Guns each.
• A full Young Guns parallel ladder: From Outburst Silver to Outburst Red (/25) and a one-of-one Outburst Gold, along with Clear Cut, Deluxe (/250), UD Exclusives (/100), and High Gloss (/10), there are plenty of numbered cards to chase. 
• New inserts: Upper Deck’s got some good ones in store, like Stencils, which is a foil-only card that runs in a parallel rainbow from red (/399) to purple (/25). There’s also Debut Dates, Here We Go!, and Fan Faves, among others.
• New short-print chases: Collectors love SP and SSP cards, and Upper Deck knows it. Look out for Electric Soul and Youthful Spirits, the latter of which features original paintings by Australia-based aboriginal artist Presten Warren. Both are found in 1 out of every 2,880 packs.
• Returning favorites: UD Canvas is a mainstay, as is Dazzlers. Be on the lookout for Population Count, Sizzle Reel, and Holotypes as well, along with the sophomore season of Bootleg.

Everyone wants autographs, but they’re a real chase in Series 1. The Snow Spray Auto variations are the main chase, and they’re found in one of every 5,570 packs. Sheesh!

Top 2026-27 Young Guns Rookie Cards to Chase

Unlike the NFL or NBA, the NHL has an interesting wrinkle when it comes to who counts as a rookie. In the NFL and NBA, players are only a rookie the year they’re drafted—with exceptions for players that sit out their true rookie season due to injury. However, in the NHL, things are a little different:

“To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in any preceding seasons, nor in six or more NHL games in each of any two preceding seasons. Any player at least 26 years of age (by September 15th of that season) is not considered a rookie.”

Because of this, players drafted last year are still having rookie cards issued, and those that were just drafted have to wait until they’ve logged more minutes to qualify. With that in mind, the chase cards are largely from the 2025-26 draft—and there are quite a few highly-anticipated players we’re coveting.

While the full Series 1 checklist features 49 Young Guns rookies, here are the headline names collectors are prioritizing on release day:

• Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks): The dynamic center and former #3 overall pick is set to step into immediate top-line minutes in Chicago while 2023 #1 overall pick Connor Bedard starts the season recovering from a shoulder injury.
• James Hagens (Boston Bruins): An elite playmaking center, Hagens enters the season as the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year.
• Porter Martone (Philadelphia Flyers): A physical, high-scoring forward who brings immediate hobby appeal to Philly after a hot streak to end the 2025-26 season.
• Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals): The offensive blueliner (and younger brother of Lane Hutson) put up 10 points in 14 games at the end of last season. What can this Caps team do in Alexander Ovechkin's final season?‍
• Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders): The 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner is sure to be a top chase, from his standard Young Guns to the Bootleg short print set.‍
• Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals): The reigning AHL Rookie of the Year looks to carry his pro scoring touch—and hype—to the NHL level.

Courtyard Marketplace: The Highest-Selling Hockey Cards

As we wait to scoop up the latest and greatest from Upper Deck and get them graded so you know they’re legit, you can check out our current inventory of hockey rookie cards from generational talents, fan favorites, and superstars alike.

Recent Rookies:

• $5,651: Macklin Celebrini – 2024 Upper Deck #451 Young Guns - Outburst (PSA 10)
• $3,000: Kirill Kaprizov – 2020 Upper Deck Artifacts Material Roman Numeral Rookies #II Autograph Black 1/1 (PSA 7)
• $1,447: Cale Makar – 2019 Upper Deck #493 Young Guns - Speckled Rainbow Foil (PSA 9)

League Leaders:

• $3,232: Leon Draisaitl – 2014 SP Authentic #277 Future Watch Autograph (PSA 10)
• $1,315: David Pastrnak – 2014 Upper Deck #495 Young Guns (PSA 10)
• $1,297: Connor McDavid – 2015 Upper Deck #201 Young Guns (BGS 9.5)
• $1,029: Nathan MacKinnon – 2013 Upper Deck #238 Young Guns (PSA 10)

The Kid, All Grown Up:

Sidney Crosby's 2005 Upper Deck #201 Young Guns, at three grade levels:

• $4,994: PSA 10
• $2,673: BGS 9.5
• $1,988: PSA 9

Chasing Stardom On a Budget:

• $97: Quinn Hughes – 2019 Upper Deck #249 Young Guns (PSA 9)
• $67: Kirill Kaprizov – 2020 Upper Deck #451 Young Guns (PSA 9)
• $62: Nathan MacKinnon – 2013 O-Pee-Chee #620 (PSA 8)
• $51: Zach Werenski – 2016 Upper Deck #224 Young Guns (PSA 9)

All of these cards can be found among Courtyard’s hockey packs, while plenty of other hockey rookie cards, like Nikita Kucherov’s Young Guns rookie card, can be found on Courtyard’s Marketplace. In the case of Kucherov, a PSA 10 of his Young Guns is listed for $89 less than its fair market value. Don’t walk…

Courtyard Marketplace: The Most-Searched Hockey Cards

Every day, hockey card collectors scour Courtyard for new additions to their collection. Looking at our all-time marketplace search data, we discovered that the new kid on the block topped the GOAT.

1. Macklin Celebrini 
2. Wayne Gretzky 
3. Connor Bedard 
4. Connor McDavid 
5. Sidney Crosby 

Will Celebrini be able to live up to the hype—or top both The Great One and his childhood idol, Sidney Crosby? Only time will tell, but, for now, collectors can chase his short print card in the Bootleg set of Upper Deck Series 1.

What Hockey Collectors are Buying:

Courtyard’s peer-to-peer marketplace tells a similar story: star power reigns supreme. Here are the top peer-to-peer hockey card sales on the Courtyard Marketplace this fall.

1. $7,919: Alexander Ovechkin – 2005 Upper Deck Ice #103 Rookie Card (BGS 10), 
2. $4,913: Macklin Celebrini – 2024 Upper Deck #451 Young Guns - Outburst (PSA 10), 
3. $4,404: Sidney Crosby – 2005 Upper Deck #201 Young Guns (PSA 10)
   

A Connor McDavid 2015 Ultimate Collection Spectrum Silver #109 Patch Auto /49 (BGS 9.5) just missed the top three, selling for $3,772 just a few weeks ago. For those that think this is (finally) the Edmonton Oilers’ year, check out our guide to the most expensive Connor McDavid rookie cards on Courtyard.

Upper Deck Series 1 Retail Blaster Boxes: Release Date & Chase Cards

Not everyone is walking into a hobby shop—or buying a hobby box—which is why Upper Deck has the retail aisle covered. The Series 1 blaster is currently available for preorder for $25, ahead of its release on October 21st. Each box comes with four packs, 12 cards in each, and averages at least one Young Guns, one Green Dazzlers, one Stencils, and one Ovation card per box. As always, there’s a retail-exclusive parallel (Orange) to hunt, too. 

In the meantime, hockey collectors can get their hands on 2026-27 Upper Deck MVP, a 250-card base set built around 200 regular cards and 50 SP and rookie cards. Blasters come with a bonus pack of blaster-exclusive Gold Script parallels, alongside new inserts like Gotta Have It, Let It Rip, and Paired Up. Look out for the super-rare 2026 NHL #1 Draft Pick SP Redemption card. Holy Gavin McKenna!

Why Courtyard is the Place to Chase Hockey Cards

Whether you’re hunting for a Celebrini Young Guns, a Draisaitl rookie auto, or a budget Werenski, hockey cards on Courtyard are graded, authenticated, and ready to rip or buy on-demand. 

Stay tuned for the arrival of new Young Guns, and, in the meantime, check out our wide range of hockey card packs.