From Alex Mogilny to Alex Ovechkin, Russian superstars and their rookie cards helped define the hockey hobby

Russian hockey players have had a profound impact on the NHL since the 1990s, bringing a unique blend of skill and flair to the game.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, a wave of Russian talent entered the league, including stars like Pavel Bure, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Mogilny. These players helped redefine offensive play and became instant fan favorites.

Over time, more Russian legends emerged, stars such as Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Igor Shesterkin, forever cementing Russia’s role as a powerhouse in producing elite NHL talent.

Related Content:

Hall of Fame is hockey heaven for NHL fans

Goalies finally get respect at Hockey Hall, Toronto Expo

Former NHL star Scott Gomez has fond memories of rookie cards

Russians have again come to the forefront after Mogilny was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame this past June as part of the Class of 2025, a long-awaited honor after 17 years of eligibility. Mogilny is part of a prestigious class that also includes Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton and Duncan Keith. They will be inducted on Monday, Nov. 10.

“I am happy to be part of a great organization like the Hockey Hall of Fame,” Mogilny said. “I want to thank both my Russian and NHL teammates for helping me achieve this honor.”

Russian players have also become highly collectible. Their cards are sought after for both nostalgia and investment. Over the last few years, Ovechkin’s 2005-06 Upper Deck Young Guns rookie card, for example, has become a centerpiece in many collections.  

Earlier legends, such as Fedorov and Bure, have also seen rising interest. With help from grading services, many Russian stars like Federov and Bure have seen a rise in values even though their rookie cards were overprinted during the junk wax era of the early 1990s.  

As the NHL continues to be influenced by Russian talent, their cards remain a vital part of the hobby, appealing to both passionate fans and serious investors alike.

Here are 10 Russian players to collect:

 A lock to make the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ovechkin was drafted first overall by the Washington Capitals in 2004. Known for his powerful shot, Ovechkin led the Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2018.

Last season, Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time goals leader. Ovi’s top rookie collectors are always seeking his Upper Deck 2005-06 Young Guns card. 

Also See: Top NHL rookie cards to collect in 2025-26

 An elite two-way center, Federov was the first Russian-born play to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP. In the process, he won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, forever becoming a Motor City sports legend.

Fedorov rookies remain fairly affordable given that his 1990-91 Upper Deck Young Guns card came out during the junk wax era.

A trailblazer after becoming the first Russian to defect to the NHL in 1989 when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres. Mogilny was a gifted sniper on the ice, scoring 473 NHL goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points over a span of 16 seasons.

Mogilny has a few rookies, but his card from the 1990 Tiffany Bowman set is one of the most desirable. 

A defenseman known for his leadership, he was a key member of the Soviet teams of the 1980s. Fetisov also played for the New Jersey Devils and later the Red Wings.

Like other NHLers from the ’90s, Fetisov has lots of rookies. His 1990-91 Topps card—especially graded a gem mint 10—has become very popular in recent years.  

Known as “The Russian Rocket” for his blazing speed, Bure could both skate and score. He remains one of the most electrifying players of the 1990s after playing for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers.

Bure’s 1990-91 Upper Deck appearance—photographed in a USSR uniform—is his most-popular rookie card.

Nicknamed “The Professor,” Larionov was a wonderful center and one of the Red Wings’ “Russian Five” in the mid-‘90s. He and Fetisov were looked upon as father figures by Detroit’s other Russians, which included Fedorov, Vyacheslav Kozlov and Vladimir Konstantinov.

Larionov’s rookie card is part of the 1990-91 Upper Deck set.

After Mogilny signed with the Sabres, a stream of Russians entered the NHL. Malarov joined the Calgary Flames in 1989 and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie that season at the age 31. As a result, the NHL changed its rules, saying a player must be no older than 26 to be eligible for the Calder Trophy.

Makarov, too, has a rookie card in the 1990-91 Upper Deck set.

The famous goaltender never played in the NHL, but he remains an icon of international hockey during the Soviet era. He won three Olympic gold medals for the former USSR. In the process, he became the first Soviet player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.

Tretiak doesn’t have a rookie card, but he’s been part of many sets over the years. His In The Game memorabilia cards are always fun to collect.

Possessing dazzling skill and speed, this Soviet legend is famous for his role in the 1972 Summit Series against Canada. He won two Olympic gold medals, but tragically died in a car accident in 1981 at just 33. In 2005, he was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Like Tretiak, he has no rookie card. He’s also been part of many sets. His 1979-80 Panini World Championship sticker remains collectable.

A star with several NHL teams, he played for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers. Nicknamed “The Bulin Wall,” he became the first Russian goalie to lift the Stanley Cup, achieving the feat with Tampa Bay in 2004.

He has a rookie card in the 1991-92 Upper Deck Hockey set.