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For hockey fans and card collectors, there’s always excitement when Upper Deck releases its annual “Series Two” set.
The release typically includes updated cards for players who were traded during the season — but the biggest draw is the company’s coveted “Young Guns” collection, which features rookie cards for top prospects.
This year’s set includes the rookie card of New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.
Schaefer, the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has been breaking rookie records throughout the season and playing a major role in the Islanders’ push for a playoff spot.
The demand for the Series Two set — and Schaefer’s Young Guns card in particular — has been so strong that some listings on eBay have climbed over $1,000.
“It’s crazy,” Schaefer told Greater Long Island. “You don’t think for one of your cards to go for a lot. It’s pretty cool. All of my buddies are getting them and they’re sending me pictures.”
For collectors and Islanders fans, the excitement surrounding the Schaefer Young Guns card has drawn comparisons to the “golden ticket” storyline from the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
Fans opening packs of Series Two cards — known in hobby circles as “ripping packs” — are hoping to land that coveted rookie card.
“It’s been pretty remarkable,” said Paul Zickler, director of sports brands for Upper Deck. “He has an unbelievable skill set. It’s kind of like the new-age defenseman where they have speed and they have good hands but he also has a great personality and his story. I think that combination has really elevated his collectability and obviously the record books speak for themselves. It’s been pretty cool to see his trajectory here and collectors are excited to see his ‘Young Gun’ as a result.”
Schaefer’s performance this season has been historic.
Among the milestones he has already reached during the 2025-26 campaign:
Islanders records
- Most goals by a rookie defenseman
- Youngest defenseman to score 20 goals
NHL records
- Most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman
- Youngest defenseman with a two-goal game
- Fastest two goals by an 18-year-old defenseman
At UBS Arena, Schaefer jerseys have been selling rapidly as his breakout season has captured the attention of Islanders fans. Now that excitement has spilled into the trading card world.
“It’s just pretty cool to have something out there that’s a collectible,” said Schaefer. “I know some of my friends are on the hunt for it.”
One person especially thrilled about the card is the photographer who took the image used on it.
Jim McIsaac, a lifelong Islanders fan who grew up in Medford and now lives in Central Islip, shot the photo featured on the card.
McIsaac has covered the Islanders and the NHL professionally since 1992, working for legendary photographer Bruce Bennett, and has been a freelance photographer since 2010. He has shot photos for Upper Deck for the past five years.
“It didn’t take long for everybody to realize what a special player Matthew Schaefer is,” said McIsaac. “Upper Deck Young Guns rookie cards have been among the most popular cards every season. It’s a career highlight that my photo was used on his during such a historic rookie season.”
Upper Deck employs a dedicated team that handles both photo selection and card design. The Young Guns subset has been a staple of the company’s hockey card releases for more than 30 years.
“The Young Guns is a marquee rookie card for us every year,” said Zickler. “Our photo team takes a lot of pride in picking that image. We’re happy with the excitement around his card.”
Schaefer also appears on another Series Two card alongside teammate Marc Gatcomb, recreating an iconic scene from the movie “Step Brothers.”
Before being selected first overall by the Islanders, Schaefer signed an exclusive trading card and memorabilia agreement with Upper Deck, making the company the sole producer of trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia featuring his image and autograph.
Collectors can find a wide range of Schaefer items through the company’s online store.
For Schaefer — who grew up collecting hockey cards himself — the experience has been surreal.
“I’m still 18 so it’s pretty funny,” said Schaefer. “Growing up collecting cards with my friends and one you would never think you would be on one. It’s pretty cool to be part of Upper Deck. It’s such a great company and it’s a great family.”
Upper Deck officials say the excitement around Schaefer extends beyond his on-ice performance.
“He’s a great kid,” said Zickler. “You can see him interact with the youth and he’s promoting the game. He’s become a steward for the next generation of NHL’ers and he seems to enjoy that piece of it. That’s a unique combination with character, personality and collectability. He’s really elevated that because of the type of person he is.”
The buzz around Schaefer’s Young Guns rookie card shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to pile up goals, assists and points while the Islanders push toward the playoffs.
Upper Deck also plans to release additional collectibles featuring Schaefer later this summer in its extended series.
Among them is the company’s rookie debut jersey program, which will feature a base jersey card from Schaefer’s NHL debut, along with autographed versions numbered to his jersey number and a one-of-one black autograph card featuring the game-worn jersey tag.
For collectors opening packs in search of Schaefer’s Young Guns card, there’s one piece of advice: have a protective case ready.
If the current demand is any indication, those cards may only continue to rise in value.
Top photo: New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) controls the puck past Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak in the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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