Today's New Jersey Devils look much different than the team Lou Lamoriello built to win three Stanley Cups. That's what his NHL will look like in 2024. Sure, there were stars in the 80s and his 90s. Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Mario Lemieux dominated the league. Even the Devils had stars like Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Martin Brodeur for the length of their championship window.
Back in the late '80s and early '90s, cards were pretty huge. They were so large that companies printed millions of cards to meet demand. Martin Brodeur's rookie card is still a highly desirable card for Devils fans, but it doesn't compare to what people are looking for today. A quick search reveals one of the most notable New Jersey Devils players of all time. That's Jack Hughes.
The same search reveals that Hughes' cards can fetch as much as $20,000. That's my hobby today. The value of all collectibles has skyrocketed during the pandemic, but sports cards in particular have gone crazy. Pax and Pitchforks had the opportunity to speak with Paul Nguyen, Senior Marketing Manager at Upper Deck, about the current state of the industry and the hype surrounding the NHL, specifically the Devils.
One of the ways hockey fans find out about this hype is through campaigns like National Hockey Card Day, which falls today, April 13th. Here are some great hobby shops from all over the country (and Canada included).
“We're certainly seeing a nice increase in hobby shop participation as younger generations enter the field and many former collectors find their passion again.”
– Paul Nguyen, UD Senior Marketing Manager
We know that football and basketball cards are the leaders in sports, surpassing baseball in popularity, but where does hockey fit into this? There are stars everywhere, and rookie cards are especially popular each year. There are some great stars these days. Players like Connor Bedard and Luke Hughes have made collecting 2024 rookie cards an essential part of their collection.
“Interest in hockey cards right now is greater than most of us have ever experienced, and there is no doubt that the addition of these young superstars is part of that. 2023-24 The fan engagement on Upper Deck Hockey Series 2 was incredible.”
– Paul Nguyen, UD Senior Marketing Manager
Not only do the Devils have added stars like Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier to make them globally marketable, but they also have two young stallions in the Hughes brothers on the roster. This fact has caught the attention of Fairweather fans.
“As with many of the league's top prospects, all of the Hughes Brothers' Young Guns rookie cards are highly sought after in their respective sets. A selection of 'famous rookies' that fans can follow from shop to shop. As a division, we are pleased to have Luke included in the 2024 National Hockey Card Day set. As Luke, Jake, and Quinn's careers progress and solidify their status as superstars, we expect interest from not only Devils fans, but hockey fans in general, to continue to grow. ”
– Paul Nguyen, UD Senior Marketing Manager
There's still time to join your local hobby shop on National Hockey Card Day, so check out the list of Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealers here.
