It’s a mad, mad world we hockey card collectors are living in right now. Earlier this month, the hobby got turned on it’s head – again! – thanks, in large part, to the hype surrounding Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard.
Upper Deck released its 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey set on February 7. Traditionally, OPC is issued at the start of the season and does not include any of the “big name” rookies, who would normally get OPC cards later in the year as a part of an update set.
But this year, OPC was released mid-season. That means that Upper Deck could include Connor Bedard in the ’23-24 OPC set – and boy, did they ever!
Counting all the variants, parallels, and inserts, but not 1-of-1 cards, Bedard has over 30 cards in the 2023-24 O-Pee-Chee Hockey set. Because of that, and the sheer demand Bedard’s cards have had since he was drafted by Chicago last summer, OPC has become a popular set for breakers.
There have been breakers opening cases – CASES! – of what most collectors typically consider a “low end” product. High-end product like The Cup or products with a lot of game-used or autographed “hits” are usually what the case breakers gravitate towards.
Bedard has been such a draw that breakers, investors, and flippers who don’t pay attention to hockey have chased after OPC. Hobby boxes, which were $100 at launch, have steadily crept up to around $140 per box now, and are even sold out at some places.
Oddly enough, OPC has not been spotted at any “big box” retailers yet, like Target and Walmart, though online hobby shops – as well as Upper Deck’s online store – are selling blaster boxes for $25 each.
Suffice to say, Bedard’s “Marquee Rookies” card – which under normal circumstances would fetch maybe $10-$20, has been selling for upwards of $90. Certain parallels of the card have sold for between $200-$300.
But will these prices remain this high once Upper Deck Series Two comes out in March? Bedard will have a Young Guns rookie card in that set. Will everyone forget about his OPC Marquee Rookies card and move on to the next thing? That seems to happen a lot with football and basketball cards.
Maybe that trend will hold true for hockey cards as well. “Investors” are usually drawn to whatever The Next Big Shiny Thing they think they can sell for the most money. And maybe Bedard’s Marquee Rookie card will settle down to a more realistic price once the more-shiny cards (literally and figuratively speaking) come out later this year.
Yes, the hobby has been crazy of late, but it has also been far from boring.
Note: This article is an updated version of an editorial that originally appeared in Volume 2 – Issue 7 of the Puck Junk Newsletter. For stories like these, plus news and updates about hockey cards and collectibles, subscribe to the newsletter here.
Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk
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5 thoughts on “Connor Bedard’s O-Pee-Chee Rookie Cards are Hot!”
Yes the card will fall in price once more premium options become available. This has pretty much been the trend for every new release in every sport. Once the Young Guns and more premium options are available the OPC Marquee will likely sell for a quarter of what they are selling for now. This is where playing the waiting game will save you money in the long run.
Hi Sal,
I was listening to your podcast about 2023-24 opc Connor Bedard and the pricing of his cards. I will give you an example of what’s happening here in Canada on Facebook marketplace there is some one selling a Connor Bedard Marquee Rookie wood board asking price $3000.00 and he is in a Team Canada jersey.
It is a nice design and nice looking card
Completely agree!
Yes the card will fall in price once more premium options become available. This has pretty much been the trend for every new release in every sport. Once the Young Guns and more premium options are available the OPC Marquee will likely sell for a quarter of what they are selling for now. This is where playing the waiting game will save you money in the long run.
Hi Sal,
I was listening to your podcast about 2023-24 opc Connor Bedard and the pricing of his cards. I will give you an example of what’s happening here in Canada on Facebook marketplace there is some one selling a Connor Bedard Marquee Rookie wood board asking price $3000.00 and he is in a Team Canada jersey.
Jordan P
Three grand, eh? I wonder if it will sell at that price. Thanks for listening – and the info!