UD releases hockey video featuring young stars

With the 2009-10 NHL Stanley Cup Finals set to begin on May 29 with the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Chicago Blackhawks, Upper Deck unveils its latest NHL Rookies-themed video. Part of a series of video vignettes that the trading card company produced from footage captured at the inaugural Upper Deck NHL Rookie Debut Photo Shoot in Toronto, this latest installment provides a not-so-serious look at the first-year players having some fun doing what they do best.

The latest effort is entitled “NHL Rookie Trick Shots” and shows several of the league’s first-year standouts showcasing their stick skills in various ways. Watch as Jared Cowen (Senators), Logan Couture (Sharks) and Mikael Backlund (Flames) show off their unique celebrations following successful lamp lighters. See overall top draft pick John Tavares (Islanders), Tyler Bozak (Maple Leafs), Victor Hedman (Lightning) and Matt Duchene (Avalanche) keep the puck alive with superior juggling skills. And sit back and enjoy the antics as P.K. Subban (Canadiens) teams with Couture and Eric Tangradi (Penguins) following their joint score, as well as the unusual celebratory skating procession that follows another successful shot on goal staged by James van Riemsdyk (Flyers), Colin Wilson (Predators) and Bobby Sanguinetti (Rangers).

Go to http://upperdecksports.tv/video/Watch-NHL-Rookies-John-Tavares to see Upper Deck’s amusing “NHL Rookie Trick Shots” video.

By performing their high-spirited antics, Upper Deck agreed to award the “Most Spirited Rookie” with an autographed LeBron James Cavaliers jersey from Upper Deck Authenticated. The highly prized keepsake from the reigning NBA MVP and Upper Deck spokesman proved to be incentive enough as all the players showed some spark. In the end, however, it was Montreal’s Subban, the Canadiens’ talented defensemanwho tallied eight points in 14 games during the postseason, who walked away with the coveted jersey.

Look for cards of many of the rookies appearing in multiple releases hitting store shelves this month including 2009-10 O-Pee-Chee Update, Ice Hockey and Be a Player, as well as SP Authentic Hockey, which hits in mid June.