The NHL’s newest sensation isn’t just lighting it up on the ice - he’s setting the hockey card world on fire, too. Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old San Jose Sharks phenom, is turning heads with his play and his trading cards, both of which are skyrocketing in value at a pace that’s hard to ignore.
Once a +50000 long shot to win the Hart Trophy before the season began, Celebrini now sits at +180 - second only to Nathan MacKinnon - to take home the league’s MVP honors. That kind of leap doesn’t just happen without something special going on. And with 78 points already on the board, Celebrini has more than earned his spot in the conversation.
On the ice, he’s been electric. Off it, he’s become a collector’s dream.
In December alone, Celebrini led all NHL players in eBay card sales volume, racking up $684,728 in transactions, according to Gemrate. That’s not just beating the competition - that’s outpacing names like Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky.
Yes, that Gretzky.
And it’s not just the volume that’s impressive - it’s the velocity of his card values. Two of Celebrini’s most sought-after rookie cards have soared in price over the past six months.
His 2024 Upper Deck Young Guns PSA 10 rookie card jumped from $450 to $1,675. Meanwhile, the rarer Silver Outburst version of the same card, also graded PSA 10, rocketed from $839 to a staggering $4,219.
But here’s where the story takes a uniquely fun turn: some of Celebrini’s most talked-about cards don’t just feature his signature - they come with a nickname that NBA fans might recognize.
“Chester.”
That’s the name Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry gave Celebrini during an interview at the 2024 NHL Draft. The nickname - a nod to Cheetos’ Chester Cheetah - came with a smile and a compliment.
Curry joked that Celebrini’s hands were “so filthy, just like after eating a big ol’ bag of Cheetos.” Translation: his stickhandling is downright dirty.
The nickname stuck. And now it’s showing up on a few rare autographed cards, where Celebrini himself inscribed “CHESTER” in bold lettering.
According to Upper Deck, the idea came from a casual conversation between Celebrini and a company rep about what kind of personal touch he might add to a few limited-edition cards. The result?
Four total “Chester” cards - two in the 2024-25 The Cup set and two in 2024-25 Stature.
They’ve already hit the market - and they’re turning heads. A Stature “Chester” inscription auto numbered 71/199 sold for $3,052.33 back in November. Then, earlier this month, a The Cup Baroque “Chester” auto numbered 71/99 went for a whopping $10,866.12.
Still, the crown jewel of Celebrini’s card collection - so far - remains his 2024 The Cup Gold RPA (rookie patch auto), numbered to 24. That beauty sold for $47,235.52 on December 18, setting the high-water mark for his cards to date.
So while the “Chester” inscription cards might not be the most expensive in his lineup (yet), they’ve got something money can’t buy: a story. A nickname from one of the NBA’s greatest players.
A nod to elite skill. And a little personality in a hobby that thrives on moments like these.
Macklin Celebrini isn’t just building a résumé - he’s building a legacy. And collectors are buying in, one card at a time.