Puck Junk

Every summer, the National Sports Collectors Convention is the place to be for card collectors. Dealers, grading companies, card manufacturers, athletes and thousands of passionate collectors gather under one roof to celebrate the hobby and the connections it creates.

Now in its 46th edition, the five-day event returned to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, showcasing everything from vintage treasures to the latest modern releases. While baseball, basketball and football continued to dominate the show floor, hockey once again carved out its presence, drawing dedicated collectors from across North America.

For hockey enthusiasts, the National is about far more than buying and selling cards or memorabilia. It is also an opportunity to reconnect with fellow collectors, discover new products, meet players and, for me, get a firsthand look at where the hobby is headed.

Throughout the convention, dealers specializing in hockey collectibles reported great traffic at their booths, especially on Friday and Saturday. Collectors searched display cases for Hall of Famers such as Wayne Gretzky and Patrick Kane (who recently returned to the Chicago Blackhawks), while interest in today’s young stars remained extremely high. Matthew Schaefer and Macklin Celebrini were among the most sought-after names.

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Hockey Collectors Find Their Place at the 2026 National”