A rare rookie card featuring Macklin Celebrini has fetched $1.28 million at auction, establishing a new benchmark for the most valuable non‑Wayne Gretzky hockey card ever sold publicly.
The Card’s Unique Appeal
The card is a one‑of‑a‑kind ‘Outburst Gold’ parallel from the 2024‑25 Upper Deck set, showcasing Celebrini’s ‘Young Guns’ rookie image in a gold‑foil finish that collectors have long coveted.
Celebrini’s Breakout Season
Celebrini’s 2023‑24 campaign saw him net 45 goals and add 115 points, placing him among the most prolific teenage scorers in modern hockey history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby in point totals for players under 20.
His performance earned him the IIHF Male Player of the Year and a nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award, while his Olympic and World Championship contributions cemented his status as a generational talent.
A Record in Context
The previous record stood at $3.75 million for a PSA‑graded 10 Wayne Gretzky O‑Pee‑Chee rookie, sold privately in 2021; no current NHL superstar — such as Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby — possesses a one‑of‑a‑kind ‘Young Guns’ parallel in their rookie portfolio.
Selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Celebrini subsequently signed a five‑year, $94 million extension, with a base salary of $975,000 for the 2026‑27 season before bonuses.