Every young up-and-coming hockey player dreams of getting drafted to the National Hockey League and having their very own Upper Deck trading card.
31 prospects from the NHL had both of those dreams come true last week in Arlington, Va. when they gathered for the annual rookie showcase.
This group of future NHL players had the chance to participate in filming various videos for EA sports, have their photos taken for their very first Upper Deck card as well as other promotional content for the league.
“Me and my buddies would always trade cards and do all that stuff. I mean, I know a lot of guys were really into it. I was definitely into it, and I’d trade. But it’s pretty cool to see you on a first card. I mean, so surreal,” Matthew Schaefer said in an article for the NHL, “you would never think that maybe one day you’d be there, when you’re a young kid, and then it becomes real.”
Schaefer, a 6-foot-2 defenseman, was drafted first overall this past June by the New York Islanders and is expected to make waves in the organization.
Along with Schaefer, TJ Iginla, son of former NHL player Jarome Iginla and a 2024 NHL draft pick for the Utah Mammoth, had the opportunity to take in the showcase as well.
Iginla said in an article for the NHL that instead of collecting the trading cards, the forward enjoyed collecting autographed items, stating that they are timeless.
Just like Iginla, Ryan Leonard, who was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2023, did not collect trading cards as a child either, but said that seeing his own trading card felt surreal.
These types of events are perfect for these young players to meet other rookies from the league, before the season officially starts and they start playing with the veterans from their respective teams.
The players had the chance to interact with each other on-and-off the ice as well as open different packs of cards with one another.
“Just seeing my card from last year, it just puts a new and different perspective that it’s kind of here now,” Leonard said to the NHL, “it’s a lot different than growing up and you’re collecting or seeing people’s cards. But now you’re kind of a part of it, which is really cool and honoring.”