The Most Valuable 1989 Hockey Cards

Summary

The year 1989 is part of the Junk Wax Era insports trading cardshistory (specifically for hockey), which lasted roughly from 1986 to 1994 and had a major impact on the sports card market. In the mid to late 1980s, interest in sports cards exploded, especially as collectors saw the value of cards from the 1960s and 1980s rise.

This increased demand ledmanufacturers like Toppsand O-Pee-Chee to produce more cards. The defining feature of the Junk Wax Era was massive overproduction of cards flooding the market. Millions and tens of millions of cards were printed, making them abundant and often lowering quality. As a result, there aren’t many extremely expensive cards from 1989, but we have listed most valuable ones for you.

The prices in this list are taken fromSports Cards Proand may change in the future. Additionally, the rankings are based on the PSA 10 graded value of the cards.

PSA 10

$1.71

-

$10.41

$22.12

$40.16

$104.86

Nicknamed “Lucky,” Luc Robitaille holds some value among collectors due to his Hall of Fame career and individual achievements. Considered one of the best left wings in NHL history, Robitaille was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. He was an exceptional goal scorer throughout his career.

The 1988-89 season was his third full NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings, a period that saw a major shift with Wayne Gretzky’s trade to the team. After Gretzky’s arrival, Robitaille’s career blossomed, boosting his goal and assist totals. In 78 games that season, he recorded 46 goals and 52 assists for 98 points, one of his best scoring averages. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team that year and holds the record for most goals scored by a left winger in NHL history.

$1.75

$10.53

$22.40

$40.63

$106.60

Standing at just 165 cm, Darren Pang was one of the shortest goaltenders in NHL history, a trait that made him stand out. A left-catching goalie, Pang spent his entire NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks. After making a single appearance in the 1984-85 season, he played more regularly during the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons.

In total, he appeared in 81 NHL regular-season games. A knee injury during the 1989-90 season forced him into early retirement. During the season featured on his card, Pang played 35 games for the Blackhawks, recording 10 wins, 11 losses, and 6 ties — marking his final season in the NHL.

$1.81

$6.00

$8.05

$19.99

$41.68

$108.77

This card holds a certain value even among junk wax era cards simply because it features Wayne Gretzky. However, it is not asvaluable as his rookie card.The main source of its value lies in the fact that it belongs to Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as thegreatest hockey playerof all time.

Any card bearing his name carries some collectible significance due to his legendary status. This particular card is thematically appealing as it is associated with the prestige of Gretzky winning the Hart Trophy, also known as the MVP award, during that era, further enhancing its collectible interest.

$2.93

$2.02

$30.80

$54.62

$158.54

The Steve Kasper card from the junk wax era is not among the highly valuable ones, as cards from this period were mass-produced and are widely available. While Kasper was a respected NHL player, he was not a Hall of Fame-level superstar, which limits demand for his cards.

He was primarily known as a defensive and checking forward—an energetic, hardworking, and frustrating player often assigned to shut down the opposition’s top stars. Active throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Kasper was drafted in the fourth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He also played for the Kings, Flyers, and Lightning.

$2.09

$3.52

$11.63

$13.00

$44.81

$158.74

Although it’s his rookie card, Geoff Courtnall’s card is not considered particularly valuable. Like other 1989 cards, it lacks rarity due to the high print volume of the era. While Courtnall had a long and successful NHL career and was a respected player, he was not a Hall of Fame-level superstar like Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux.

Courtnall was known as a tough, aggressive left winger with solid scoring ability. The 1988-89 season was his first full year with the Washington Capitals, following trades from the Boston Bruins to the Edmonton Oilers, and then to the Capitals. That season was one of his best, recording a career-high 80 points with 42 goals and 38 assists in 79 games.

$3.51

$16.12

$34.92

$61.47

$183.98

Christian Ruuttu had a long and respectable NHL career, though he was not a Hall of Fame-level superstar. A Finnish center, Ruuttu was known for his aggressive play and strong two-way abilities. At the time this card was released, he was playing for the Buffalo Sabres in his third full NHL season.

During the 1988-89 campaign, he recorded 14 goals and 46 assists for a total of 60 points in 67 games. As a center, he was effective both offensively and defensively. Ruuttu had a strong shot and could score, but he was also known for his physical style and ability to disrupt opponents. He also represented Finland in numerous international tournaments.

$1.56

$5.00

$8.62

$23.49

$44.36

$273.68

This card features the legendary Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. The 1988-89 season marked his first full year with the Los Angeles Kings, following a blockbuster trade from the Edmonton Oilers that shook the hockey world.

Gretzky’s arrival in Los Angeles significantly boosted the NHL’s popularity in the southern and western United States. During the 1988-89 season, he recorded 54 goals and 114 assists for a total of 168 points in 78 games. He led the league in assists and ranked second in total points. He capped off the season by winning the Hart Trophy, proving his dominance continued even with a new team.

The Wayne Gretzky #156 1989 O-Pee-Chee version of the same card also holds a similar value, with a PSA 10 condition priced around $219.

$2.15

$7.91

$8.00

$13.50

$38.00

$281.59

Although it comes from the junk wax era, this Mario Lemieux card still holds some value among collectors due to his legendary status. Nicknamed “Super Mario,” Lemieux was one of the most dominant players of the 1980s and 1990s, alongside Wayne Gretzky. One factor that adds value to this card is that it is the first card in the set.

By 1989, Lemieux had already established himself as one of the NHL’s top superstars and was the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team on the rise under his leadership. In the 1988-89 season, he led the league with 199 points—85 goals and 114 assists in 76 games—the second-highest full-season point total in NHL history, behind Gretzky’s 215.

$1.57

$4.00

$5.03

$20.71

$41.51

$298.17

Brian Leetch’s rookie card is considered valuable due to his Hall of Fame status and major achievements in the NHL. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in hockey history, Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. This card is his first true hockey card.

Leetch was a rare defenseman known not only for his defensive skills but also for his offensive abilities, a versatility that set him apart. The 1988-89 season was his first full NHL season with the New York Rangers and was highly impressive. Drafted ninth overall by the Rangers in 1986, he joined them after a year at Boston College, playing 17 games late in the 1987-88 season. He later helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994.

$3.67

$6.31

$9.80

$101.99

$129.00

$419.39

Despite the high production of cards in 1989, Joe Sakic’s rookie card is considered valuable due to his Hall of Fame status and major NHL achievements. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in hockey history, Sakic was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. This rookie card represents the beginning of his remarkable career.

Known for both scoring ability and leadership, Sakic was drafted 15th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft and debuted as a rookie in the 1988-89 season. Even early in his career, he stood out for his quick shot, elite passing, and two-way versatility. He won two Stanley Cups with the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise and earned honors like the Conn Smythe, Hart, and Lady Byng Trophies, finishing with over 1,000 NHL points.

The Joe Sakic #113 [Rookie] 1989 O-Pee-Chee version of the same card also holds a similar value, with a PSA 10 condition priced around $369.