Hockey cards are getting more valuable but let’s not say they are having a moment because it’s been going on for a while. Sure, the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly gave a significant boost to the overall trading card market, but the value and popularity of hockey cards were already on an upward trajectory. This long-time surge in interest is a testament to the growing popularity of hockey and the National Hockey League (NHL). As more fans flock to the sport and fill those seats around the rink, the demand for treasured hockey keepsakes continues to soar.
That’s why we are here with the Top 20 Most Valuable Hockey Cards, a price guide and checklist for the most expensive hockey cards ever sold. From the early days of O-Pee-Chee’s cartoon-based cards to the modern Upper Deck relic cards released as limited editions with much fanfare, hockey trading cards continue to get more exciting as the sport gets even cooler (pun intended, of course).
So, let’s take a closer look at the hokey cards new and old that have been setting record-breaking prices for the sport. Remember you can always find trending details easily by looking up your favorite sport, teams, and players on Cardbase or in the Cardbase App.
20. 2015 Upper Deck Exquisite '03 Rookie Tribute Gold Spectrum Connor McDavid Patch Autograph /5 – $72,000
As any hockey fan would expect, we’re going to end this list with a hockey ‘Great One’ from the past, but we’re starting with one of the most impressive players to join the NHL in recent memory. Conor McDavid is the future of the storied Edmonton Oilers team, having put up consistently huge numbers in scoring and assists since he debuted with the team in 2015. While the team hasn’t matched his level of success, McDavid continues to impress while challenging (or surpassing) records set by past Oilers, including the man himself, Wayne Gretsky. Of course, this has also made a lot of cards featuring this superstar worth a lot of money.
This card is from McDavid’s rookie season but it’s part of a series that hearkens back to the a popular 2003 Exquisite series of cards that focused on basketball stars like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. While this style has been popular elsewhere in the Upper Deck world, it had a short life in the hockey series where there are plenty of already established brands for the best of the best of cards. Like most premium cards, this rookie tribute card was a limited edition with only 5 printed in the set. That’s certainly a factor in the high value that collectors put on it ahead of a BGS 9 Mint condition copy selling in April 2022 for an impressive $72,000. Keep McDavid’s name handy as you can expect to see more of him as the list progresses.
19. 1951 Parkhurst Base Maurice Richard #4 — $75,000
Maurice "The Rocket" Richard is a legend on the Montreal Canadiens. He was the first NHL player to smash the 500 career goal ceiling, he managed to collect a jaw-dropping 8 Stanley Cups, and earned the MVP award in '47. A 14-time NHL All-Star and a Hall of Famer - let’s just say Richard has the credentials.
The 1951 Parkhurst series of hockey cards are known for being smaller and of limited quality so it’s quite impressive that this 1951 Parkhurst Base Maurice Richard #4 card managed to get graded as a PSA 8.5 NM-MT+. According to the PSA database, only a handful of these Maurice Richard cards have even been graded by their service. That’s part of the reason it’s so valuable and managed to fetch a handsome $75,000 back in July 2021.
18. 1985 O-Pee-Chee Base Mario Lemieux #9 — $83,216
Mario "The Magnificent One" Lemieux didn't just play the game, he owned it, both on and off the ice. After 17 impressive seasons in the NHL as the center for the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was a top scorer and won two Stanley Cups, he then went ahead and bought the team franchise in '99. Add to that three MVP awards and a whopping 1,723 career points under his belt, and he's clearly a legend.
As with many other cards of the period, there are both O-Pee-Chee and Topps versions of virtually the same Mario Lemieux card but the rarer O-Pee-Chee copies tend to sell for more money. This is pushed further due to the often poor quality of O-Pee-Chee production, which leads to fewer cards that will meet the high standards of the grading experts at PSA.
Thus, this 1985 O-Pee-Chee Base Mario Lemieux #9 PSA 9 Mint copy selling for $83,216 just six months after a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for only $80,000 makes it seem like the value of this card is on the rise. Keep an eye out if you’re looking for one by adding it to your Watchlist on Cardbase.
17. 2015 Upper Deck SP Authentic Future Watch Connor McDavid Rookie Autograph #226 /999 – $85,100
While the SP Authentic series of hockey cards are not as limited as many of their other brands, this gorgeous 2015 Upper Deck Hockey cards set features autographs and a tight design that looks great on a slab. It’s no surprise that the brains behind the sub-brand included Edmonton Oiler Connor McDavid in this series since superstars across the sporting world have had their own SP Authentic card. As described above, the hockey world was quick to realize that McDavid had the goods to deliver an impressive NHL career. That’s made him an ideal candidate to appear in Upper Deck’s most premium card series.
The challenge is that with 999 cards for hockey superstar Connor McDavid to sign, you are less likely to get perfect autographs every time. That’s maybe why this particular copy of the card managed this impressive price. Not only was it graded the elusive BGS 10 Pristine rating, with three of four sub-gradings also coming in with a perfect 10, but the autograph is also graded at a 10. This impeccable card fetched a colossal $85,100 back in March 2021.
16. 2005 Upper Deck The Cup Dual NHL Shields Mario Lemieux Sidney Crosby Patch Autograph #DSLC 1/1 – $86,400
Upper Deck has made a name for their most top-shelf cards and it’s called The Cup. These are super-premium hockey cards that often pair a couple of legends of the game on a card together. This particular pairing of two of the greatest Pittsburgh Penguins players is ideal for this kind of premium collectible. Surely any fan of the Penguins will delight in getting an autograph plus a game-worn patch from both Penguin superstar Sidney Crosby and past great plus one-time owner of the franchise, Mario Lemieux.
Upper Deck probably could have sold more than one copy of this 2005 hockey card but they kept the card unique to add to its mystique and incredible value. That worked out well enough because this card, graded PSA Authentic, sold in May 2022 for a massive $86,400. That’s just three years after the same card sold for just over $17,000 in 2019, so it’s clear that when Upper Deck does it right, you can expect The Cup cards to keep rising in value.
15. 2006 Upper Deck The Cup Dual NHL Shields Wayne Gretzky Mario Lemieux Patch Autograph #DASGL 1/1 – $91,200
Upper Deck’s The Cup strikes again with this dazzling card combining two of the best NHL players ever. This pairing of The Great One and The Magnificent One makes sense as both men played many times on the Canadian national team and, you know, they’re both truly amazing players who are at the top or close to the top of the list for NHL scoring.
We just talked about Lemieux on the last card but Wayne Gretzky should need no introduction. I’ll give you one anyway: Gretzky revolutionized the sport of ice hockey during his 20-year career, setting an astounding 61 NHL records, including the most career goals (894) and assists (1,963), and leading the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories. His exceptional skill and sportsmanship earned him universal acclaim. I’m not sure any other professional sport has such a singularly dominant player at the very top of its history.
Neither of these men needs to share a card to make it worth a lot of money, and yet these dual The Cup cards match them up in just the right way to make fans love them. Each side features a signature and a game-worn patch from one of these legends, so it’s no surprise that card, rated Authentic by the discerning folks of BGS, sold for a mighty $91,200 back in October 2021.
14. 1958 Topps Base Bobby Hull — $102,000
Bobby Hull was nicknamed “The Golden Jet” during his stint in the NHL. For more than a thousand games, he delighted Chicago Black Hawks fans with his powerhouse shooting and even helped the Hawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. Thirteen years later, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his exceptional play that earned him MVP wins twice in a row, a dozen All-Star appearances and just over half that many scoring titles.
This simple 1958 Topps Hockey card does the job, showing a picture of Hull with his position and team name on a two-color field. It’s not complicated, but it’s also got a certain elegance lacking in some of the complicated cards of the modern era. In May 2017, one of the few copies of this 1958 Topps Base Bobby Hull card noted in the PSA population as in PSA 8 NM-MT condition sold for $102,000. That tops all previous and subsequent Bobby Hull card sales and gives him this lofty spot on our list.
13. 2007 Upper Deck The Cup Dual NHL Shields Alexander Ovechkin Patrick Kane Dual-Signed Game-Used Patch Card #DLAOK 1/1 - $104,700
Sometimes dual-card pairings don’t make a ton of sense to the average fan, but this one has a good theme. Call this top-of-the-line entry from Upper Deck’s The Cup series ‘one amazing pair of wings.’ On the right, you’ve got Patrick Kane, a right winger then with the Chicago Blackhawks who has three Stanley Cups and a bevy of additional trophies to his name. On the left, you’ve got the Great Eight, Alexander Ovechkin, a left winger who breathed new life into the Washington Capitals and even led them to a Stanley Cup victory in 2018. This potent combination on a dual-signed, single-card release with patches worn by both of these magnificent players is certainly worthy of being on this list of the most valuable hockey cards ever sold.
Of course, this 2007 hockey card went straight through to PSA for grading, coming back with a PSA Authentic grading that generally only comes from uncirculated cards. In other words, this card is genuine and as pristine as they get. In October 2022, this one-of-a-kind card sold for $104,700 to some lucky fan of one or both of these NHL superstars.
12. 2005 Upper Deck The Cup Alexander Ovechkin Rookie Patch Autograph #178 /99 – $105,780
Alexander Ovechkin is one of the most impressive left wings in the NHL now and a powerhouse scorer who has a shot at breaking The Great One’s record one day. While his rookie season in the NHL was marred by a lockout, he still came out on top and won the Calder Memorial Trophy for best rookie of the year once he finally joined the league. Known to go by both “Ovi” and “The Great Eight” (for his jersey number) as his nickname, Ovechkin’s very popular with the team he’s been with since his NHL debut, the Washington Capitals. That’s only fair because he helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 2018.
His cards have become popular with local fans as well as people in his native Russia, who have seen him compete in local leagues there and at the Olympics, too. With such a wide fan base, one can only expect his cards will be valuable when they come up for auction. Indeed, that’s what happened in October 2022 when one of the 99 limited edition copies of this 2005 hockey cardin BGS 9 Mint copy sold for an enormous $105,000.
11. 2020 Skybox Metal Universe Retro Precious Metal Gems Gold Connor McDavid #R-30 1/1 – $106,200
This valuable 2020 hockey card represents a wonderful callback to the Precious Metal Gems cards that were such a phenomenon in the late 90s. Reimagined as the “Metal Universe” series, this card from Skybox features a fantastic design inspired by the PMG series that presents athletes from a variety of sports as cutouts in front of a background of vibrant color.
Like those classic cards, this one frames Connor McDavid in a field of gold that highlights a photo of him in action on the ice. McDavid certainly deserves the honor of being included in this series. This relatively young player has already won the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, and the Art Ross Trophy, and is widely considered one of the finest active NHL players. His success as the Captain of the Edmonton Oilers on top of his impressive personal achievements certainly helped drive up the value of his trading cards. You can expect to see him again on this list because collectors can tell that he’s in the process of building the kind of legendary career that makes for the most valuable of sports cards.
Notably, this single card Gold release is a departure from the Red/Blue/Green limited releases of the original PMG card sets that numbered at least in double digits. That’s probably why this PSA 8 NM-MT copy sold back in April 2022 for an impressive $106,200.
10. 2006 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ultimate Signatures Logos Wayne Gretzky Patch Autograph #SLWG 1/1 — $114,000
The Exquisite series creates standout items in the sports collectibles world. This gorgeous specimen from the set is a perfect example, using the king of hockey to build around. What more can we say about The Great One - he’s the most amazing player ever in the NHL and this 2006 hockey card puts it all together: a patch, an autograph, and a single-card release. It even has a great photo of the man who always had eyes on where the puck was going.
Sadly, it’s not in perfect condition, so BGS only rated it an 8 NM-MT based on the middling scores on the sub-categories (although the autograph is a 10). That’s why this one sold for a large but less than thrilling $114,000.
9. 2005 Upper Deck The Cup Sidney Crosby Rookie Patch Autograph /99 – $125,200
The mighty Sidney Crosby has already been nicknamed “The Next One” based on his run of success as Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. There’s a reason why: In addition to three Stanley Cups, he’s now in third place for the most point-per-game seasons in the NHL, behind only two other fellows we’ll see further up the list, “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe and “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky.
Sidney Crosby’s rookie card from Upper Deck is another entry into The Cup series, where rookie cards are completed with a patch and an autograph. This limited edition of 99 copies has kept The Cup series exclusive and that’s helped make this 2005 Upper Deck The Cup Sidney Crosby Rookie Patch Autograph /99 BGS 10 Pristine copy sell for $125,200 in June 2020. I think we’ll see those prices increase as time goes on and Crosby adds yet more accolades to his list.
8. 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Exquisite Connor McDavid Rookie Patch Autograph #97 /97 - $144,000
Upper Deck's Exquisite brand keeps scoring popular premium cards, here with a mix of their different types of special high-end brands. Its exclusive “The Cup” concept is here paired with their Exquisite design style and the result is an exceptional card celebrating the even more exceptional then-rookie Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oiler who, at 20, became the captain of his team. He’s led them nobly and successfully since.
Among the special features of this 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Exquisite Connor McDavid Rookie Patch Autograph #97 card is a print run matched to Connor McDavid's jersey number (/97), a game-worn patch, and an autograph, all incorporated into a classy design that gives focus to every aspect of this gorgeous card. This sought-after piece, rated PSA 10 Gem Mint and featuring a PSA/DNA 10 autograph, sold in February 2022 for a mind-blowing $144,000.
7. 2004 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection NHL Shield Wayne Gretzky Patch Autograph – $145,000
This exquisite piece of hockey memorabilia is a singular, one-of-a-kind tribute to the illustrious Great One. That’s a real shame because hockey fans all over would love to have a copy of this 2004 hockey card. Gretzky appears poised, his gaze fixed on the imminent glory of a triumphant hat trick. Still, we can all enjoy the elegance and power of this card, with Gretzky in his L.A. Kings uniform on a field of gray and black.
This hockey card is not merely signed by the legend himself, but also boasts a unique game-worn NHL emblem. The design is impeccable and, even though it’s only a BGS 8.5 NM-MT card, back in May 2022 it fetched a staggering $145,000 at auction.
6. 2020 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Gold Sidney Crosby 1/1 – $164,000
This is another in Skybox’s Metal Universe series that pays homage to the Precious Metal Gems line that was all the rage in the 1990s. As with those cards, the design is a simple cutout of the player in front of a mostly-single color background. While the new single-card Gold color version is new, this variation effectively captures the feel that made the PMG cards such a hit.
That’s how a non-rookie card ends up being the most valuable card for superstar Sidney Crosby. The Pittsburgh Penguins’s best current player deserves the attention, having been a huge part of the franchise’s success since he debuted on the team in 2005, including three Stanley Cup victories. This is another player who is building a legendary career and his card values will continue to climb. Despite being only graded in PSA 8 NM-MT condition, this card sold in March 2022 for a huge $164,000.
5. 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe #66 Rookie – $205,200
Gordie Howe was one of the star hockey players of the 50s, as suggested by both his nickname “Mr. Hockey” and his eventual ascension to the Hall of Fame. His impressive and loyal 25 years (of 26 in the league) with the Detroit Red Wings had him putting up impressive stats all around, perhaps the most interesting being that, at 52 years, he has the record for being the oldest NHL player ever.
As for the 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe #66 Rookie card itself, Parkhurst was a small Canadian player in the trading card space, mostly focused on hockey cards suitable for their domestic audience. The brand is now owned by NHL-official card producer Upper Deck, and they do use the brand name. But back in the 1950s, Parkhurst’s cards were distinctive for their smaller size and, unfortunately, their lower-quality printing. Thus, it’s all the more impressive that this PSA 8.5 NM-Mint+ card even exists. PSA’s system says there are only a few that they’ve seen at this level of quality, so it’s no surprise that this copy sold for $205,200 back in May 2021.
4. 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Connor McDavid Rookie Patch Autograph #197 /99 – $228,000
This is another super-premium Upper Deck card rookie card celebrating the breakout success of the exceptional Connor McDavid. McDavid is firing on all cylinders already with two MVP wins and hundreds of goals in a career that yet has many years to go, leading to comparisons to another Edmonton Oiler player we affectionately call “The Great One.”
As with other cards in this 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey card series, it’s all about exclusivity and elite features. This card has it all: an autograph, a game-worn patch, and a limited run of only 99 copies of the card. Add to the fact that PSA only reports a pair of these cards so far being graded at their top level PSA 10 Gem Mint condition and it’s no wonder that this copy sold for $228,000 in July 2022.
Following this sale, the other PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for over $200,000 a month later. My guess is that the next time these highly-coveted cards sell, the collectors can expect a big boost on that price as Conor McDavid continues his streak of success to an eventual place in the Hall of Fame.
3. 1966 Topps Bobby Orr Rookie Card #35 - $276,000
In the 60’s and 70’s, NHL players did not want to be skating down the ice towards Bobby Orr. No one could defend his end of the rink like this powerful Boston Bruin. Despite his formidable skills preventing a puck from getting past him, for which he was named the NHL’s best man on defense 8 times, he could score as well. In fact, he became the first player in his position to lead the NHL in scoring. That distinction is part of why he managed to win MVP honors thrice as well as two Stanley Cups.
This 1966 Topps #35 Bobby Orr Rookie Card features a headshot of Orr in a border that almost looks like a classic television console of the time, with some action on the ice in the background. It’s a terrific design, especially if you can find it in perfect shape. Thankfully, someone did because a BGS 10 Pristine copy of this 1966 Topps hockey card sold for $276,000 in February 2021. BGS is notoriously picky about giving out their highest level of grading, so it’s all the more thrilling to see this card in such exceptional shape.
2. Wayne Gretzky 1979 Topps #18 PSA 10 — $1.2 Million
How much difference does it make when virtually the same card is published by two different companies in adjacent countries? About $90,000, apparently. That’s because this Wayne Gretzky 1979 Topps #18 version of Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card from US company Topps sold in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition in August 2022 for $1.2 million dollars. Just a couple of months later, as will be noted in the next listing, the same card from O-Pee-Chee sold for a bit more. That price would be topped, but you’ll need to read on to hear more.
The cards are largely similar, especially if you only look at the front of the card. On the back, you’ll see the telltale signs, including some French that is required by law in Canada. More than likely the reason for some collectors having a preference for the Canadian version of this classic card is the fact that Wayne Gretzky is Canadian and was playing for a Canadian team during his rookie year. In case you are wondering why both versions reference the abbreviation “WHA,” that is the abbreviation for the World Hockey Association, a rival hockey association that merged with the NHL in 1979.
1. 1979 O-Pee-Chee Base Wayne Gretzky #18 — $3.75 million
Of course ‘the Great One’ was going to be on the card in the number #1 spot in any list about the most valuable hockey cards of all time. While the NHL has seen an amazing string of superstars on the ice over the years, none has come close to Wayne Gretzky. He’s set more records than anyone in the sport, has four Stanley Cups to show how he’s led teams to exceptional success, and his philosophy has transcended the sport itself. In business, people paraphrase Gretzky’s quote about ‘skating to where the puck is going’ as a metaphor for thinking ahead before you act. Even people who’ve never watched a minute of a hockey game know Wayne Gretzky and his incredible run of success.
While this 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky card is largely the same as the Topps edition that came out in the US, the fact that Gretzky and his team are Canadian certainly means the former version has always been worth more money. Plus, although PSA reports haven’t graded more than 7,000 copies of this card, there are only two cards from that list which achieved their PSA 10 Gem Mint condition. Based on what has been said about the lack of quality control in place during this time in O-Pee-Chee’s history, we are lucky to find any cards in this kind of condition.
One of those two sold in May 2021 for $3.75 million dollars, making it not just the most valuable hockey card ever sold, but also one of the most valuable sports cards ever sold. Considering that this milestone was achieved just about six months after the other PSA 10 Gem Mint version of this card sold for $1.29 million, we can only imagine how much higher the next copy of this amazing rookie card will sell for when one of these two lucky collectors decides to cash in on their investment.
These are the most valuable Hockey Cards ever
As we drop the puck on this epic countdown of the most valuable hockey cards, it's clear we're not just talking about some pieces of cardboard with patches and scribbled names on them. These are moments frozen in time, capturing the gods of the rink in all their glory. From "The Great One" to "The Magnificent One", "The Rocket" to "Mr. Hockey", and the young players that followed them, these cards help us build a tangible connection with our hockey heroes.
Whether you're a hardcore collector or just a puckhead, I hope you enjoyed this run through the most expensive hockey cards ever sold. While our individual budgets may not allow us to obtain every one of our favorite cards, we can enjoy the way these valuable collectibles celebrate the all-time greats of the sport. Happy collecting!
