Connor McDavid Hockey Cards You Should Know About
Summary & Career Highlights
Rookie Year: 2015-16
Iconic Rookie Card: 2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 #201 Young Guns
Highest Public Sale: 2015-16 The Cup #197 Rookie Patch Autograph PSA 10 for $228k on July 23, 2022
Similar Career Players: Alex Ovechkin, Mario Lemieux, Teemu Selanne, Guy Lafleur, Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy
Players with Similar Cards to Check Out: Jack Eichel, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, Kyle Connor, Matt Barzal, Zach Werenski, Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser, Sebastian Aho
Career Highlights
3x Hart Winner (2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)
7x All Star
5x Art Ross Winner
7x 100 point seasons
Conn Smythe Winner (2023-24 Despite losing Stanley Cup)
Iconic Cards
Icon Key
Prospective Card Cost:
💰 - Under $250
💰💰- Under $1,000
💰💰💰- Under $5,000
💰💰💰💰- Under $15,000
💰💰💰💰💰- Over $15,000
Rarity:
💎 - Common & High Serial Number
💎💎- Serial Numbered or Pop Under 200
💎💎💎 - Serial Numbered or Pop Under 100
💎💎💎💎 - Serial Number or Pop Under 50
💎💎💎💎💎 - Does this card even exist? Serial Number or Pop under 10
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2015-16 Fleer Showcase Metal Universe
#MU1 Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Green /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Precious Metal Gems ("PMG") is an iconic paralell known for its rarity, single color holofoil, and eye popping sales. Hockey collectors would get their first shot at acquiring a PMG when Upper Deck reintroduced the parallel in the hugely popular 2012-13 Fleer Retro set. PMG went on to be a mainstay across various Upper Deck products since its introduction and has become one of a player's most sought after parallels. In McDavid's rookie year (2015-16), PMGs were included in Fleer Showcase and were released in red, blue, green, and purple parallels that were serial numbered to /150, /50, /10, and /5 respectively.
2015-16 O-Pee-Chee Platinum
#190 Seismic Gold Auto /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: O-Pee-Chee Platinum is Upper Deck's lone chromium-based product from McDavid's rookie year. The 190 card checklist contains 160 veteran base cards and 30 rookie autographed cards. There are 10 parallels to chase with the serial numbering differing between the veteran and rookie cards. The Seismic Gold parallel, which is serial numbered to 25 for rookie autographs, isn't the most rare, but its one of the more recognizable parallels in the set. OPC Platinum does contain the Golden Treasure 1-of-1, one of only a few McDavid rookie year 1-of-1s.
2015-16 Premier
#115 Rookie Patch Autograph /199
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎
About the Card: Upper Deck typically releases three high-end sets: The Cup, Premier, and Ultimate Collection. Premier is the middle priced option of the group and is a hit-driven acetate based product known for its game-used mega patches and acetate rookie patch autographs. In the 2015-16 release, acetate rookie patch autographs were serial numbered to 375, with five of the "chase" rookies, which included McDavid, being limited to 199 copies. For the ultra high-end collectors looking for something more rare, McDavid also had silver, gold, and platinum blue spectrum parallels numbered to 35, 10, and 1 respectively. If you appreciate acetate cards, this is a card to put on your list.
2015-16 SP Authentic
#226 Future Watch Autograph /999
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: The SP Future Watch autograph has been a standout card in Upper Deck releases since its debut in 2000-01. Despite a print run of 999, don't expect McDavid's Future Watch Auto to be cheap; it regularly sells for five figures. The 2015-16 SP Authentic set also introduced the exceptionally rare Black Future Watch Auto parallel. This unannounced parallel features a black background and a sharp gold autograph. Also important to note - Unlike many players in the checklist, McDavid does NOT have a Future Watch Auto inscription.
2015-16 SP Authentic
#226 Limited Rookie Patch Auto /100
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Fueled by SP Authentic's brand recognition, the Limited Rookie Patch Autograph has become an essential McDavid rookie card. Its appeal lies in the relative scarcity of just 100 serial-numbered copies and consistently strong design. Historically, the "Limited" parallel had been the rare parallel of base Future Watch rookie cards. By SP Authentic's ninth year (2002-03), Upper Deck introduced a patch to the parallel, creating the Future Watch Limited Rookie Patch Autograph. Unlike most rookie patch autographs that are either base cards or standalone inserts, the Limited Rookie Patch Autograph is actually a parallel to McDavid's #226 base card. Not exactly unique for Upper Deck, but helpful for rookie patch auto classification purists.
2015-16 SP Authentic
#R61 '05-06 Retro Future Watch Patch Auto /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: 2015-16 SP Authentic also released the Retro Future Watch Patch Auto which pays tribute the the 2005-06 limited patch auto design. Consistent with the original, player's primary and secondary jersey colors are used heavily the card's design. The result is a well-balanced design that flows from card to autograph to patch smoothly. The Retro Future Watch Patch Autos are also serial numbered to 25 but are relegated to an insert set rather than as a parallel to the base design like its limited counterpart.
2015-16 SP Game Used
#197 /97
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: SP Game Used is an Upper Deck product known for its game-used relics and autographs. While game-used jerseys are widely featured, SP Game Used also includes insert sets with stick relics, media guides, All-Star and All-Star Skills competition jerseys, and net cords from the Stanley Cup and Stadium Series games. Despite the attention given to these hits, the base set is actually the star of the product. Each base card is serial numbered to the player's jersey number. McDavid's base rookie card, numbered to 97, features a clean, modern design with subtle silver holofoil. It's an excellent option for collectors seeking rarity and shine without autographs.
2015-16 The Cup
#197 Rookie Patch Auto /99
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: McDavid's rookie patch autograph from The Cup is viewed as one of the most iconic modern hockey cards. A player's base rookie patch auto is one of the most sought after and desired card in their rookie card catalog and that's no different for McDavid. When constructing the checklist, Upper Deck selects a handful of the top rookies to short print to 99 copies rather than the typical 249 copies for common rookies. The gold foil parallel followed a similar pattern having 12 copies compared to 24 copies for the common rookies. You'll frequently see this card come to auction given its popularity, but what you won't see is the black foil 1 of 1 parallel which has never publicly surfaced.
2015-16 The Cup
#97 Exquisite Collection Patch Auto /97
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Upper Deck's Exquisite Collection, introduced as a basketball product in the 2003-04 season, set the standard for ultra high-end collecting. After the concept was proven, Upper Deck took the idea of Exquisite to hockey and created The Cup in 2005-06. To use "The Cup" trademark, Upper Deck promised the NHL that the product would be the most premium of their annual releases. In 2014, Upper Deck paid tribute to the Exquisite brand by introducing a rookie patch autograph serial numbered to the player's jersey number. McDavid's Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto is generally viewed as a step below his base RPA, but is a nice option for collectors who prefer this design.
2015-16 The Cup
#CFMC Foundations Rookie Patch Auto /5
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: 2015-16 The Cup is featured several times within McDavid's Player Profile, and for good reason. If you value rarity above all else, make sure to take a look at his Foundations Patch Autograph. On top of being serial numbered to 5, the Foundations Patch Auto prominently features a four box patch window outlined in gold holofoil. There's also a 1-of-1 Foundations Tag Auto parallel that features the player's jersey size tag instead of the jersey patches.
2015-16 The Cup
#EE-CM Emblems Of Endorsement /15
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Emblems of Endorsement is an incredibly strong insert brand that can be traced back to the 2003-04 Exquisite. McDavid's "Emblems of Endorsement" is one of his rarer cards from 2015-16 The Cup. Over the years, the insert's brand has earned a reputation for its rarity, with cards typically limited to 10 or 15 copies. Its rarity has translated to scarcity with very few copies hitting the market. Those that are sold seem like they get locked away in collections quickly making it one of McDavid's most scarce patch autographs.
2015-16 The Cup
#LLCM Limited Logos /50
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Limited Logos is one of Upper Deck’s most iconic inserts. It debuted in 2003-04 Exquisite basketball and was an original patch auto insert in The Cup. Since its 2005-06 release, Limited Logos has been a perennial favorite with collectors. Each year features a unique design, but all releases have stayed on brand with three elements: Large patch windows framed with gold or rainbow holofoil, high-quality multi-colored patches, and consistent serial numbering (50 copies per release). While it’s not as rare as some other patch autograph inserts from The Cup, its distinctive design and high quality make it one of the most recognizable and sought-after cards among collectors.
2015-16 Upper Deck
#201 Young Guns
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Connor McDavid's Young Guns is the most recognizable modern hockey card. It also currently holds the podium for the most graded hockey card of all time. Chances are, when you think about modern hockey cards, you picture this card. If you're new to hockey cards, "Young Guns" are Upper Deck's flagship rookie card distributed in Series 1 and 2. They are massively popular base rookie cards and one of the first collectors look to pick up when starting a new collection. There are also a few rare numbered parallels to chase: UD Exclusives /10, UD Midnight /25, UD Exclusives /100 and non-numbered Silver Foilboard (e-Pack Exclusive) and Acetate.
2015-16 Upper Deck
#C211 Young Guns Canvas
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: UD Canvas was originally released as part of 2011-12 Upper Deck. Instead of cardstock, UD Canvas is printed on durable canvas, making them more likely to receive a high grade due to better corner and edge quality. The inserts feature a different photo and a bronze Young Guns emblem rather than the base Young Guns silver emblem. While not as popular as his base Young Guns, McDavid’s UD Canvas Young Guns offers a distinct option and appealing alternative for collectors looking to add one of his rookie cards.
2017-18 Upper Deck Buyback
#201 2015-16 Auto /97
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: McDavid's Young Guns reached iconic status seemingly overnight. The card's popularity gave Upper Deck the confidence to release a buyback autograph just two years after it was first released. 97 copies of McDavid's Young Guns were purchased, autographed, hand-numbered, and added to the 2017-18 SP Authentic checklist. The card was a hit with collectors. In fact, McDavid’s Buyback was so well received, Upper Deck decided to include another McDavid Young Guns backback in the standalone 2019-20 Upper Deck Buybacks product.
A Few of My Favorites
My favorite McDavid cards feel the most unique. Each has a defining characteristic that would give me a reason to try and add a copy to the collection.
2015-16 Ice
#200 /99
Why It's a Favorite: Acetate and hockey cards are a perfect match. The material looks like ice, giving acetate cards an incredibly strong connection to the sport. Upper Deck leaned into this concept with the reintroduction of 2015-16 “Ice”. Upper Deck leaned into the concept of tiered rookies where higher draft picks were shorter printed than common players. As the number overall pick, McDavid fell into the short -printed group and his base rookie was serial numbered to 99. The relatively low serial number and acetate use in McDavid’s rookie year make this one of my favorites.
2015-16 SPx
#169 Jersey Auto /399
Why It's a Favorite: SPx pushes the envelope more than any other SP branded product. SPx cards use a variety of elements and technologies to deliver a unique feel. Its because of those elements that McDavid’s SPx jersey autograph is one of my favorites. The background feels gritty, almost like a slice of the boards were taken and used to make the card. Four jersey windows are framed with gold foil. The photo selected is solid, and printed on clear acetate. Plus its relatively scarce with it being limited to 399 copies. This isn’t the McDavid jersey rookie auto for everyone, but totally worthy of mention.
2015-16 The Cup
#AMRP-CM Monumental Rookie Patch Auto /6
Why It's a Favorite: Booklets are pain. They’re big, bulky, and hard to store. Grading them, especially with Beckett, results in a slab the size of a magazine. How is this going to fit into my case? Despite these drawbacks, the Monumental Patch Autographs from The Cup are stunning. The bi-fold booklet typically features a patch from a prominent jersey location. This example includes the oil drop from the center crest of the Oilers jersey – an instantly recognizable patch. Add in the autograph and the fact that it’s from McDavid’s rookie year, and this booklet is a must-have. I'll gladly bend my “No booklets” rule and welcome it to my collection!
2016-17 The Cup
#SI2MG Gretzky/McDavid - Dual Signature Materials /15
Why It's a Favorite: On card dual patch auto of the GOAT and potentially the future GOAT in hockey's most high-end set. For those looking to secure dual on-card autos of Gretzky and McDavid, choices are limited. Between 2015 (McDavid's rookie year) to the 2022-23 releases, there have only been 14 cards released with dual autos of the pair and only two of those also feature patches. For those looking to add other copies from sets other than The Cup, the pair has also been featured in UD Black, Upper Deck Trilogy, Upper Deck Splendor, SP Authentic, Chronology, and Artifacts.
2018-19 SP Authentic
#GM Sign of the Times 2 Dual Auto Gretzky/McDavid /25
Why It's a Favorite: Last but not least, another dual autograph of Gretzky and McDavid. The SP Authentic Sign of the Times dual auto is a touch more accessible than The Cup Dual Signature Patch Auto. Its less rare (25 copies vs. 15 copies), no jersey pieces, and is from a less premium set. Yet, this is a card that will likely cost you 5 figures. The modern design, use of geometric shapes, and generous use of white space make for a striking card worthy of any great Gretzky or McDavid collection.
Honorable Mentions
2015-16 Black Diamond Quad Diamond /99
2015-16 Premiere #PMPCM Rookie Mega Patch /20
2015-16 Premiere #SRRCM '03-04 Tribute Rookie Patch Auto /49
2015-16 SP Game Used #DDMCM Draft Day Marks Patch Auto /35
2015-16 SPx #169 '05-06 Retro Jersey Auto /299
2015-16 Ultimate Collection #05-CM '05 Ultimate Rookie Auto /175
2015-16 Ultimate Collection #ADTCM Debut Threads Patch Auto /10
Have another card you think deserves an honorable mention? Let us know on IG @TheSmarterCollector!