Clemente’s Corner: PWHL Cards all the Rage this Winter – and it’s About Time

It’s not often that a card set causes as much of a stir as the 2024 Professional Women’s Hockey League First Edition set, released last month by Upper Deck. Collectors were ready, eager and determined to get their hands on these cards – and the demand was evident from the moment the set dropped.

Within a week of the January 22 release, hobby boxes — originally priced between $75 to $100 — were flying off the shelves. Many big online retailers sold out, and local card shops in New York City, and elsewhere, were left scrambling to keep up with the surge in interest.

By that point, boxes were already reselling for over $200 on the secondary market. If you were around for the craziness of 2020 — when cards exploded in value due to the pandemic — it was a familiar feeling. Only this time, the excitement wasn’t for a male star like Connor Bedard. This time, it was for women’s hockey, and that’s a game changer for the sport and the hobby.

A 12-pack box of PWHL cards debuted at around $80, but the price quickly jumped to upwards of $200 per box.

The interest in the PWHL card set is a natural extension of a larger cultural shift. Over the last couple of years, women’s sports have been making serious waves. In 2024 alone, saw Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA and the U.S. women’s soccer team winning gold at the Paris Olympics. These moments have contributed to a growing fanbase and significant collector interest, which in turn has driven the market for women’s sports cards. Clark’s rookie cards even sold for five figures at auction – a clear sign that collectors were ready to embrace cards of female athletes as serious collectables.

Women’s hockey hadn’t yet had its defining moment, but with the PWHL’s emergence and this inaugural Upper Deck set, it’s clear that the time has come. The league’s debut season is already drawing large crowds, particularly in major cities like New York and Toronto, with its six teams generating real buzz. And as the league solidifies its place in the sports landscape, the collector market is following suit, recognizing the potential value in women’s hockey cards.

The PWHL represents the first major professional league for women’s hockey that looks set to stick around. Previous attempts at launching a stable, top-tier women’s league in North America have faltered, often relegating the world’s best female players to smaller, regional tournaments or international competitions. But with backing from major investors and an already impressive level of competition, the PWHL is showing signs of longevity — and not just on the ice.

Having a league of this caliber means that women’s hockey players now have a consistent platform to showcase their talents and fans finally have a league to rally behind. This is something the sport has desperately needed. In turn, as interest in the league continues to rise, the demand for collectibles — including cards — naturally follows.

For collectors, the PWHL set offers a fresh and exciting product. At first glance, the design feels familiar to fans of Upper Deck’s other hockey products, like the 2024-25 UD NHL sets, which gives it instant appeal. But what really stands out in the PWHL release are the Young Guns. The short-printed cards includes 20 Young Guns, a much-anticipated feature for collectors, for the first time in women’s hockey history. In every three packs, you’ll find one Young Gun, with each hobby box expected to yield about four of these sought-after cards.

Taylor Heise is one of the 20 short-printed Young Guns cards in the PWHL set.

But it’s not just about the base cards. The Young Guns also come in several exciting parallels that increase their collectability. These include Deluxe (#/250), Exclusives (#/100) and High Gloss (#/10), giving collectors plenty of options to chase. For those familiar with Upper Deck’s NHL offerings, this is a welcome addition and adds depth to the set.

In addition, the set also features two insert sets that help round out the product: Dazzlers Blue and UD Portraits. Both inserts are found at a rate of one in every five packs, giving collectors additional opportunities to score something special. UD Portraits, in particular, also have their own parallels — Gold (#/299) and Red (#/99) — adding another layer of chase-worthy content.

Each PWHL box contains at least two Dazzlers inserts.

What’s even more exciting about this moment is how it signals a potential shift in the hobby. The focus on women’s sports and women’s hockey, in particular, adds diversity to the collectible market that’s been dominated by male athletes. The fact that a card set for the PWHL can spark so much interest — especially at a time when the hobby was arguably oversaturated — signals that the market is evolving. Collectors are no longer just fixated on the next big male rookie or the latest hype surrounding a young superstar; they’re expanding their focus to include women’s sports.

As a dad of a daughter who has been to card shows with me, this is a massive step forward. It not only brings more attention to women’s sports, but also opens the door for future card sets dedicated to female athletes across different disciplines. While the PWHL set might be just the beginning, its success could set a precedent for future card releases for other women’s sports leagues, creating a more inclusive and diverse space for collectors of all kinds.

Although the skyrocketing prices of hobby boxes in the wake of this release might frustrate some collectors — especially those hoping to buy at retail prices — there’s no denying that this is a good problem to have. The fact that demand is high and interest in women’s hockey is growing is a positive sign for the future of both the sport and the card hobby. Finally, after years of waiting, women’s hockey is getting the recognition it deserves.

This is more than just a chase for cards. It’s also an opportunity to be part of something historic — to collect a piece of the inaugural PWHL set, marking the beginning of what we all hope will be a long and prosperous chapter for women’s hockey and its place in the world of sports memorabilia. The future is looking bright, and for once, it’s not just about Bedard.

Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.

Love hockey? Join the Puck Junk Facebook Group, listen to the Podcast, subscribe to the Newsletter and YouTube Channel, and support this site at the Online Shop.

mm

Author: Clemente Lisi

Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on Twitter @ClementeLisi.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *