Autographs
Upper Deck brings back game-used jersey cards with new Debut Game Jersey Program
Game-used jersey and patch cards have been all the rage in the hobby the past few years, with rookie debut cards the latest trend.
Longtime card manufacturer Upper Deck, which introduced the first-ever game-used jersey cards in 1996-97, is once again raising the bar by integrating jersey swatches into hockey cards with the introduction of the Upper Deck Debut Game Jersey Program.
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In collaboration with the NHL and NHLPA, Upper Deck is collecting jerseys worn by top NHL rookies in their debut games and creating swatches to be featured in a variety of trading cards. Three different designs will pay homage to the popular 1996-97 UD Game Jersey inserts.
The cards will be featured in Upper Deck’s 2025-26 Extended Series checklist.
“We’re always working to create fresh, exciting, and premium collecting experiences. The introduction of our Debut Game Jersey Program will allow collectors to connect even further with their favorite players and teams—all in an incredibly approachable and accessible way,” Upper Deck President Jason Masherah said. “With an exceptional NHL rookie class coming in this season, not only will we capture theirs and future classes’ debut moments on the ice for fans and collectors to hold onto for years to come, but we will take their entire debut jerseys and insert them across several distinct trading card designs.”
Upper Deck, the official trading card company of the NHL, has collected game-worn jerseys from the debuts of some of the NHL’s tops prospects, including exclusive athletes Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa, as well as stand-outs Beckett Sennecke, Brady Martin, Isaac Howard, and Easton Cowan, among others. The cards will be included as part of 2025-26 Upper Deck Extended Series, which is scheduled to be released this summer.
Each Upper Deck Debut Game Jersey card will feature a photo-matched image of the player from their first professional game, as well as a piece of the jersey they wore during that game. Upper Deck will offer a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for each card, matching the exact date of the debut game.
Additionally, three card variations will be available to collect, including Debut Game Jersey Autographs (serial # matched to their jersey number) and special Debut Game Jersey Auto Black Variations (#1/1) containing unique patch or fight strap tags from the debut jersey. The design of the cards pays homage to the first UD Game Jersey cards, the first cards to feature game-worn jerseys in Upper Deck’s 1996 hockey and football sets, and later in 1997 basketball and baseball. UD Game Jersey cards quickly became some of the most coveted cards in the hobby with many now considered iconic cards.
