Posing for Upper Deck rookie cards, donning new hockey jerseys ‘super cool’ for top NHL prospects
Hockey’s top prospects gathered on Wednesday, Sept 3 for the annual Upper Deck Rookie Showcase for the chance to talk trading cards, sign autographs and show off some new jerseys.
The event, co-sponsored by the NHL Players’ Association, took place at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. and featured 31 rookies who are hoping to make an impact during the upcoming NHL season.
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The gathering—headlined by No. 1 draft pick Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders— was Upper Deck’s chance to get a first-hand look at the players in their official uniforms, while also having them pose for their rookie cards. While at the rink, the trading card and memorabilia company was also able to get photographs and video content of the players, which will be used to market future Upper Deck products.
“Me and my buddies would always trade cards,” recalled Schaefer, who grew up in Canada. “I know a lot of guys who were into it. I was definitely into it. It’s pretty cool to see yourself on a rookie card. It’s surreal. You would never think that maybe someday you’d be on a card— and then it becomes real.”
Aside from being immortalized on cards, Schaefer, a defenseman, also signed autographs that will be included in future products and on Upper Deck’s website. He said signing was no big deal since his high school classmates have been asking him for his autograph for years.
“I’m no different than anyone else,” Schaefer recalled. “I’m just like any other kid. In my school, kids used to always come up to me and ask me to sign stuff. I was like, ‘I don’t know why you guys want me to. I’m in English class like you guys.’ Treat me like everyone else.”
Now in its 15th edition, the event has become a memorable rite of passage for young players. Just making it to the Rookie Showcase, players said, is the start of a lifelong dream of playing in the NHL. Between signing autographs and photo shoots, the players shared childhood stories about their card collections.
“I collected cards growing up,” said Boston Bruins prospect Frederic Brunet. “I finally gave them away when I got older. I had a great time collecting them with my brother when I was young.”
Brunet said he was a big Montreal Canadians fans growing up and collected cards of Carey Price and PK Subban, his favorite NHL player.
“It was always fun to get them,” he added.
Ben Danford, a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, said he liked hockey cards as a child, but wasn’t “a freak about it.” Nonetheless, he said having his own card will be strange.
“I haven’t thought about it that much,” he joked. “I realize that’s why I’m here [at the Rookie Showcase].”
NEW JERSEYS
Other players present at the Rookie Showcase were really into seeing this season’s new jerseys. In fact, Seattle Kraken forward Berkly Catton encapsulated that feeling best, saying the highlight was “just seeing guys you’ve played against your whole life in NHL jerseys.”
The jersey that won the day was the worn by Tij Iginla, son of NHL legend Jerome Iginla. The younger Iginla donned a Utah Mammoth uniform for the first time since the team announced its new team name and logo this past May. The team moved to Utah last season from Arizona, where they were known as the Coyotes.
“I think it’s sweet,” Iginla said, pointing to the crest on the front of his jersey. “I think it’s super fierce. I think it’s one of the coolest [logos] in the league. It’s super cool to be wearing it for the first time. It’s great!”
But Gabe Perrault said he wouldn’t trade his New York Rangers jersey for anything. Son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault, the 20-year-old right winger said he chose No. 94 because his preferred number was taken.
“My dad actually wore it [No. 94] when he played,” Perrault said. “I wore No. 34 at Boston College and it was taken. So, I figured why not go with the old man’s number.”
For others, the day was about recent NHL memories. Marc Gatcomb, a member of the Islanders, played in last season’s game against the Washington Capitals when Alexander Ovechkin broke the all-time NHL goals record held by Wayne Gretzky on April 6 at UBS Arena in suburban New York.
“It was something really cool to witness and to have your name on the scoresheet for that game,” he said. “I definitely took a few scoresheets from that game to keep. They’re in my room. I think I’m going to get one framed. It’s really cool to have a relic from that game.”
Clemente Lisi