Summary
Hockey cards immortalize players’ careers and serve as more than just collectibles—they create a cultural and emotional connection to sports history. These cards also reflect their era, acting as tangible witnesses to the past. Especially in Canada, where hockey is a national cornerstone, collecting these cards is a nostalgic tradition that carries deep value.
While serious hockey cards first emerged in Canada during the 1950s with companies like Parkhurst, the hobby expanded in the 1960s and’70s across the U.S.throughbrands like Toppsand O-Pee-Chee. These cards physically express fans’ admiration for players, and some command surprisingly high prices. In this list, we’ve ranked the most expensive hockey cards for you.
June 2020
$125,200
This iconic card of Sidney Crosby is directly tied to the legend surrounding the player himself. Selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby was quickly nicknamed “The Next One,” as he was widely considered the greatest talent to emerge since Wayne Gretzky.
He went on to serve as the long-time captain of the Penguins and became one of Canada’s most iconic hockey figures. The card holds official rookie status and only 99 copies were produced. The combination of Crosby’s legendary status and the card’s elite quality and rarity has led to its astonishing value in the hobby.
$135,811.20
Connor McDavid, who was selected first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft and joined the Edmonton Oilers, immediately stood out with his exceptional skills and leadership potential from his very first season. Despite being early in his career, he quickly made an impact in the league and began to be recognized as a future superstar.
The Exquisite series is highly valued in the collecting world and includes some of the rarest and most valuable cards. This card is McDavid’s rookie card and is limited to only 97 copies. Its design is luxurious, detailed, and made with high-quality materials and printing.
May 2022
$145,000
One of the main reasons this card is so popular is that it features Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One” and widely considered the greatest player in NHL history. Over his career, he won four Stanley Cups and nine MVP awards. A key highlight of the card is the NHL logo patch taken directly from Gretzky’s game-worn jersey.
Cards featuring such patches significantly increase in value. Another standout feature is Gretzky’s original autograph on the card. Since only one of these cards was produced, its uniqueness also drives up the price. Although Gretzky was no longer an active player in 2004, his strong influence on the sport and marketing power kept his memorabilia highly valuable.
March 2022
$164,400
This card, one of the most expensive modern-era hockey cards, belongs to Sidney Crosby. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential players in NHL history, with three Stanley Cups, two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, and two Conn Smythe awards. Crosby has long captained the Pittsburgh Penguins and remains an active player.
As one of Canada’s hockey icons, he holds immense value in both popularity and collectability. PMG cards first gained fame in the 1990s through basketball and baseball sets, known for their metallic finish, vivid colors, and limited print runs. This particular card is a true one-of-one, making it entirely unique. In 2020, Crosby produced 47 points in 66 games and was being called the Gretzky of his generation.
May 2021
$210,330
One of the most iconic cards in hockey history, this card is considered a blue-chip investment in the collectibles market. Known as “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe is one of the most legendary players in NHL history. His career spanned from 1946 to 1980, covering four different decades.
With six Hart Trophies and six Art Ross Trophies, Howe was known for both his physical style and unmatched consistency. He also inspired countless players, including Wayne Gretzky. This particular card is Howe’s first,holding the status of a rookie card. Despite the fragile construction and thin paper used in 1951 Parkhurst cards, it remains among the most valuable hockey cards ever made.
July 2022
$228,000
This card, one of the most prestigious pieces in modern hockey card collecting, belongs to Connor McDavid, a “generational talent” and a rare kind of athlete. From the moment he entered the NHL, McDavid made an immediate impact and is widely regarded as the greatest player to emerge after Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
His elite scoring ability, hockey IQ, and speed have made him one of the most dominant players of the modern era. When he debuted in 2015, interest in his cards skyrocketed. This card is especially valuable as it is a rookie card and classified as an RPA, featuring a game-used patch and McDavid’s original autograph.
February 2021
$276,000
This card, one of the most sacred pieces in hockey card collecting, belongs to Bobby Orr, one of the most influential defensemen in NHL history. He revolutionized the game by showing that defensemen could also contribute significantly to scoring. Orr won eight Norris Trophies, three Hart Trophies, and two Art Ross Trophies, along with two Stanley Cup championships.
His goal and airborne celebration in the 1970 Stanley Cup Final remain one of hockey’s most iconic moments. This card is his first and is classified as a rookie card. Although the cards in this set are thick, they were made from fragile paper, making high-grade examples extremely rare.
April 2025
$381,000
Alexander Ovechkin, one of the most prolific and impactful scorers in NHL history, began his career in the 2005-06 season and quickly became one of the league’s most dominant forwards. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards and is considered an icon of modern hockey.
This card is his rookie card and features a genuine jersey patch along with his original autograph. The Gold Rainbow version stands out due to its rarity and visual appeal, with only eight copies produced. In his rookie season, Ovechkin won the Rookie of the Year award and rapidly rose to become one of the league’s top scorers.
December 2020
$1.29 Million
Wayne Gretzky is already a legendary figure in hockey, with a career full of seemingly unbreakable records. It’s no surprise that his cards are highly valuable among collectors and investors. This Topps card is widely recognized as one of his key rookie cards and symbolizes the start of his remarkable NHL career.
Since the card is over 40 years old, finding one in high-grade condition is extremely rare, which significantly increases its value. In 1979, Gretzky joined the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, and despite being very young, he immediately stood out. His impressive debut season performances quickly earned him the reputation of being the league’s next superstar.
This card was sold for $720,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2020.
$3.75 Million
If you’re looking for the most prestigious and unquestionably valuable card in hockey history, this is the one. Sold for a record-breaking price, this card holds a powerful place not only in hockey but across the entire sports card world. It reflects not just the legacy of a player, but also the cultural and historical weight it carries in the hobby.
This rookie card of the NHL’s ultimate legend symbolizes the birth of an icon. Produced by Canadian brand O-Pee-Chee, it’s rarer and more valuable than its Topps counterpart. With poor production quality, high-grade copies are incredibly rare. This specific card is a PSA 10—one of the few known to exist.
