Hockey card collecting is a bit different than other sports. That largely has to do with the fact that many cards featured both a United States and Canadian version. Knowing the difference can help you navigate purchasing hockey cards as a hobby.

1990 Score Canadian Jaromir Jagr PSA 10 - Estimated Cost $125 

Image via eBay

In 1990, the rich got richer when the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Jaromir Jagr with the 5th overall selection in the NHL Draft. The 18 year-old Czech was pro-ready and was soon playing alongside the legendary Mario Lemieux. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in both the 1991 and 1992 seasons. While he was somewhat of a role player on those two teams, he would soon ascend into superstardom, making 13 All-Star teams and winning the Art Ross Award 5 times.

Jagr would go on to play in the NHL for 24 seasons and retired as the league's 2nd highest points scorer behind only Wayne Gretzky. Jagr's Score Canadian rookie is highly collectible and available on eBay in a PSA 10 for around $125.

2016 Connor McDavid Upper Deck Portfolio PSA 9 - Estimated Cost $150 

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When Connor McDavid was originally drafted first overall in 2015, he was considered a generational prospect. The pundits were right, as the Edmonton Oiler became a point-a-game scorer at the age of 18. Still only 26 years-old, McDavid has already won the Art Ross Trophy (the league's top point scorer).

McDavid has plenty of rookie cards, but with the incredible start to his career, they cost an arm and a leg. The 2016 Upper Deck Portfolio is a nice starter card for the Edmonton Oiler. A PSA 9 copy can be had for around $150.

Patrick Roy 1986 Topps - Estimated Cost $180 

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The name Patrick Roy is synonymous with incredible goaltending. The goalie burst onto the scene as a 20 year-old, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy (finals MVP) as his Montreal Canadiens won the 1986 Stanley Cup. He would go on to become a legendary player, winning two more Conn Smythes and a total of 4 Stanley Cups with Montreal and Colorado.

Since he starred for the sport's most revered team, Roy's rookie card is an especially strong investment. There are both Topps and more expensive O-Pee-Chee versions of his 1986 issue. The Topps runs around $180 in a PSA 8 and an O-Pee-Chee card will cost $500 in the same condition.

1982 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky PSA 8 - Estimated Cost $250

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There is no bigger hockey player in the history of the game than Wayne Gretzky. The center smashed every league record on his way to becoming an icon. His early cards are very expensive in high grade and are out of the price range of most beginning hobbyists.

That makes his 1982 OPC issue a fun card to collect. This was the year that Gretzky captured the goals record with 92 and the points record with 212. If we go down to a PSA 8, it can also be pretty affordable. This card in that condition is available for $300.

Cale Makar 2019 Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 9 - Estimated Cost $275 

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Typically, collectors of hockey cards lean in toward goal scorers first. Secondly, they enjoy collecting cards of the best goalies of the game. Third comes defensemen. And if a defenseman is going to have a hot card, they will have to be really, really good. Colorado Avalanche defender Cole Makar is really, really good.

The 4th overall pick of the 2017 draft won the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in his first season. He followed that up with two All-Star appearances and in 2022, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. Makar's 2019 Upper Deck Young guns card sells for $275.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.