Upper Deck Young Guns: the Rookie Cards That Matter (McDavid, Crosby, Ovechkin)
Young Guns are the standard modern hockey rookie card. What they are, and what PSA 10s of McDavid, Crosby and Ovechkin have sold for.
By Card Shows & Shops · October 22, 2026 · Prices checked October 22, 2026
Young Guns are the short-printed rookie cards in Upper Deck’s flagship Series One and Series Two hockey sets. Since the mid-2000s they have been the card collectors mean when they say "his rookie."
They are seeded about one per pack in hobby boxes, so the base Young Guns of a star is not rare. What is rare is a perfect one: gem mint copies carry the value.
2015-16 Upper Deck Connor McDavid Young Guns #201
| Grade | Recent sale | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $2,250 USD | April 13, 2025 |
2005-06 Upper Deck Alex Ovechkin Young Guns #443
| Grade | Recent sale | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $4,680 USD (Robert Edward Auctions, June 2023) | — |
2005-06 Upper Deck Sidney Crosby Young Guns #201
| Grade | Recent sale | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $2,830 USD | September 8, 2025 |
| PSA 10 | $3,200 USD | April 15, 2025 |
More in the Crosby guide.
Before you grade a Young Guns, look at the centring and the back corners under a light. A card that would come back a PSA 8 often is not worth the grading fee; see what PSA grading costs.
Questions collectors ask
- Are Young Guns real rookie cards?
- Yes. They carry Upper Deck’s rookie designation and are the most widely collected rookie card for most NHL players since 2005.
Sources
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