In the lead-up to the 2025 NHL Draft, Upper Deck, a prominent name in sports collectibles, has been actively securing exclusive deals with top North American prospects. This strategic move ensures that Upper Deck will be the primary source for trading cards, collectibles, and autographed memorabilia featuring these rising stars as they embark on their NHL careers.
Most recently, Upper Deck announced a multi-year agreement with Matthew Schaefer, the top-ranked North American player in the NHL's 2025 Draft Prospect Rankings. This agreement grants Upper Deck exclusive rights to produce Schaefer's trading cards, collectibles, and memorabilia. Schaefer, a standout defenseman with the OHL's Erie Otters, is widely projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. During the 2024-25 season, despite facing injuries, he recorded an impressive 22 points (seven goals and 15 assists) in just 17 games. His international resume is equally impressive, having captained Team Canada to gold medals at both the 2023 U17 World Challenge and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Schaefer expressed his excitement about the partnership, recalling his childhood memories of collecting hockey cards with his family. He stated that joining Upper Deck and aligning himself with some of hockey's greatest players was a "full-circle moment." Upper Deck's president, Jason Masherah, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Schaefer's undeniable talent and expressing the company's honor in being part of his journey.
Upper Deck's strategic signings extend beyond just Schaefer. The company has secured exclusive relationships with eight of the top 10 North American 2025 NHL Draft prospects as ranked by NHL Central Scouting. These include Michael Misa and James Hagens who, like Schaefer, have exclusive memorabilia and trading card deals. Porter Martone, Caleb Desnoyers, Roger McQueen, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Carter Bear are also exclusively signed for trading cards.
Michael Misa, ranked second overall by many experts, is a center known for his well-rounded game and impressive scoring ability. James Hagens, a local star from Hauppauge, New York, is another highly touted prospect.
The 2025 NHL Draft is scheduled to take place on June 27-28 at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The New York Islanders hold the first overall pick, and many expect them to select Matthew Schaefer. The San Jose Sharks are projected to pick Misa with the second overall pick.
Upper Deck's proactive approach in securing these exclusive deals underscores its commitment to the hockey collectibles market. By partnering with these young talents early in their careers, Upper Deck aims to capture their most memorable on-ice moments and provide fans with curated collections of trading cards, memorabilia, and collectibles. With a long-term exclusive trading card deal with the NHL and NHLPA, and existing relationships with hockey legends like Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid, Upper Deck is solidifying its position as a leader in the sports collectibles industry.
