Every year, National Hockey Card Day is a red-letter date for hockey enthusiasts, a chance to celebrate their love for the sport in the form of glossy, collectible cards. However, the 2024 iteration of this event broke the mold, turning what was already a beloved tradition into a frenzied hunt for hidden treasures, courtesy of a rookie known as Connor Bedard. On April 13, 2024, hockey card collectors were in for the surprise of their lives.
It all began when Upper Deck, the titans behind the trading cards, decided to add a glossy layer of excitement by secretly slipping autographs of the Chicago Blackhawks’ newest star into random packs. With the allure of potentially snagging a Bedard autograph, fans and collectors were whipped into a state of eager anticipation rare even for this high-spirited event.
Hobby shops across Canada and the United States were transformed into bustling hubs of activity from the crack of dawn. In some places, lines began to form at an ungodly 3:30 AM, as enthusiasts jockeyed to be among the first to dive into the freshly minted packs. The event wasn’t just confined to North America; collectors around the globe tuned in and participated, making it a truly international affair.
The structure of the event was straightforward yet genius: walk into any participating store and walk out with a free pack of trading cards. This year, amid the usual mix of current and legendary players, it was Bedard – a beacon of fresh talent on the ice – who stole the spotlight. Dave Tellier, a hobby shop owner in Barrhaven, Ontario, noted a significant spike in interest. Previously, hockey cards had been a smaller niche in his store, but Bedard’s meteoric rise on the ice and now among card collections was turning the tide. The shop, like many others, had reintroduced hockey cards into their racks, capitalizing on the burgeoning interest.
The mania reached a crescendo when it was revealed that some packs contained Bedard’s autographs. This revelation turned each pack opening into a mini-lottery, with fans eager to see if they had struck gold. The fortunate few who unearthed these autographed cards wasted no time in showcasing their finds on online marketplaces like eBay, where the cards began trading hands for between $7 and $10—a figure set to rise as Bedard’s career progresses.
This spike in activity and excitement was fortuitously timed with the Toronto Spring Sport Card and Memorabilia Expo scheduled later in the month, setting the stage for what would likely be a Bedard-themed bonanza. With his cards expected to be a hot commodity, the Expo was teeing up to be the scene of some serious trading action.
National Hockey Card Day 2024 also saw exciting collaborations with several retail giants like GameStop and Toys R Us, along with the venerable Hockey Hall of Fame. Together, they distributed special nine-card sheets featuring not just Bedard but a variety of players, ensuring that there was something for every fan. This initiative played a big role in not just sustaining interest among seasoned collectors but also in drawing in new aficionados, including young first-timers and families looking to share a hobby.
The unexpected twist of Bedard’s autographs didn’t just add a layer of thrill to the event—it reaffirmed the vibrant and ever-evolving culture of card collecting. For many, this wasn’t just another collectible—it was a ticket to being part of hockey history. As packs were ripped open and cards were sifted through, National Hockey Card Day wasn’t just about what was printed on glossy cardstock; it was about the stories, the excitement, and the community that these cards built. Truly, April 13, 2024, wasn’t just a day for the books—it was a day for the card albums, revitalizing the timeless hobby of collecting and celebrating hockey’s newest legends.
