Hockey cards are valuable. Not only do they commemorate some of the most historic moments in hockey history, but they also typically feature awesome photographs of some of the greatest hockey players of all time.
It would be quite the collection if you could pull all of the hockey cards for the important players in the league such as Gordie Howe, Red Wing, or Terry Sawchuk. But collecting all of those is quite a daunting task. There are simply too many of them to keep track of. Especially considering how valuable they are now.
Thankfully, there are only a few key stats that you need to check to know whether or not to keep a particular hockey card in your collection:
Table of Contents
Age
The first and most vital thing to check when examining any hockey card is the age of the player on the card. Many cards from the 1950s and earlier feature very old players. As the years go by, you will see more and more youth on the backs of hockey cards. This is because back in those days, it was much more common for players to grow out of their jerseys and into their pants as they got older.
If you have any doubts about the age of a player on a card, you can simply look up his statistics for the season. Many cards will have this information on them:
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe is regarded by many as the greatest hockey player who ever lived. He scored the most goals of any player in the NHL in the 1940s and 1950s, and he won the Stanley Cup four times. He was also the head coach of the Boston Bruins for a brief period in the 1960s and was known for his tough, defensive style of play.
Many people will tell you that the best way to learn how to play hockey is by watching Howe, who was a master at his craft and a true inspiration to generations of hockey players. It seems only fitting, then, that several cards feature the face of this hockey legend:
Red Wing
Red Wing is a city in Michigan, but it also happens to be the birthplace of hockey. And it is fitting that the most iconic hockey team in history hails from such a glorious place. The Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup four times and have more appearances in the finals than any other team. Their fans were known for their passion in the 1960s and ‘70s, which is why you will see many cards featuring this team.
Hockey isn’t simply about showing off your team’s colors and hoping to defeat the other side. It is about a game that has been played for over a century and involves teams of 6 vs. 6 players who use their hands to pass and shoot a puck at a net while trying to avoid getting hit by a skate or another stick.
When you’re a kid, it’s all fun and games. You want to be like Mike Trout, the young superstar from the American League, or Christian Dvorak, the young star from the National League? You don’t have to settle for looking up to greats like Wayne Gretzky or Gordie Howe. You can be like Max Pacioretty, the young forward for the Montreal Canadiens who had 25 points in his first 20 games this season.
Terry Sawchuk
Another Michigan native who is a household name across the country is Terry Sawchuk. He played for the Detroit Red Wings for almost his entire career, and he is now the manager of the team’s business operations. Much like Howe and Red Wing, Sawchuk was one of the game’s greatest goalies. He played a style of hockey that was unrivaled in its time. He is most well known, however, for his acerbic wit and quick tongue. On one occasion, he uttered the following:
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a dentist. Now I want to be a hockey player. I think I’ll end up being a comedian.”
“I wouldn’t play touch football with those things. It’s unsportsmanlike. You could really get hurt.”
Sawchuk was known for his flamboyant persona, and several cards show this side of him:
Other Notable Players
This list includes some of the most famous and iconic hockey players of all time. Some of these guys are really old, like Jack Marshall. Or really young, like Patrick Kane. Or even really ugly, like Tim Cheek. It would be great to have all of these guys in your collection, but, again, there are just too many of them. If you want to be able to tell if a hockey card is valuable, you’ll need to know which ones to keep and which ones to ditch.
There are four main things that you need to look for in order to assess the overall value of a hockey card:
1. Autograph
The first thing to check for is an autograph from a famous player or coach. These are quite valuable today because not only do they provide a potential of additional income from autographs, but they also allow you to add another layer of meaning to your collection.
If you live in an area that is populated by sports fans, there will be many opportunities to get player autographs. And if you’re lucky enough to get an autograph from a pro, you can bet that it will be worth something.
2. Mounted On Card
The second thing to check for is a photograph of the player or team that you have mounted on a card. This is also quite valuable because you not only have a photograph, but you have the added meaning of having the player or team you’ve chosen on your card. And it’s not just any card, either. It’s a signed card with a photograph of the player or team you’ve chosen on it. This makes it even more special.
If you’re lucky enough to get a card signed by one of the greats, like Gordie Howe, you can bet that it will be worth a great deal of money. Not only does it have value as an autographed card, but it also has value as the rare piece of sports memorabilia that you’ve managed to obtain. And if you happen to get your card signed by a current or former player, you can bet that it will be worth even more. This is also because there are fewer and fewer people who will get the chance to autograph a card for fans these days, especially since many famous sports figures have either passed away or retired.
3. Game Used
The third thing to check for is game used items. These are quite valuable because not only do they provide a chance at some extra cash, but they also allow you to add another layer of meaning to your collection. If you live in an area that is populated by sports fans, there will be many opportunities to get game used items.
These items don’t have to be expensive. In fact, it’s quite cheap to get a ball, glove, or helmet that’s been worn by a famous sports figure. The issue is that, because they are game used, they are typically not that valuable. The fact is that there are a lot of fakes out there. So, while it’s great to have a piece of clothing or equipment that’s been worn by a famous athlete, you have to be careful because a lot of people will try to trick you.
4. Set Autographs
The fourth and final thing to check for is set autographs. These are quite valuable because not only do they provide a chance at some extra cash, but they also allow you to add another layer of meaning to your collection. If you live in an area that is populated by sports fans, there will be many opportunities to get set autographs.
Getting a set of baseball, basketball, or football players is quite common. But getting a set of hockey players is quite rare. It’s difficult enough to get a signed photograph of a player. To get a signed item that is also a part of a set, it is quite the coup and provides you with even more value. This is because getting a set of hockey players is quite the accomplishment. Not many people get to say that they have a signed piece of hockey history as a part of their collection.
To assess the overall value of a hockey card, simply look at the four factors listed above. Checking off all four factors will undoubtedly make you feel like a real pro. And if you’re lucky enough to check off all four factors on a signed card, you can bet that it will be worth a great deal of money. So be sure to keep your eyes open for these valuable cards if you decide to add this amazing sport to your collection.