Then the NHL may not be the No. 1 sport in North America, but NHL rookie cards are adequately pop. When a new season is in full swing, this ways that new players are going to exist making their corresponding debuts on the ice. This doesn't automatically mean that the youngsters are immediately going to become the side by side Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby or even Connor McDavid, but they're probable going to help out their teams with their skills from the modest league and/or college levels.

Anyhow, it's actually fun to get a concord of diverse NHL rookie cards and save them for your hockey card collection, but did you lot know that the cards can exist a money maker, as they're probably worth hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars today? Yes, that's right, there'south a chance that yous tin can financially do good from your collection, unless if you don't plan on doing so. That's fine too, but you might want to reconsider i twenty-four hour period considering you may demand the extra bucks to splurge on significant purchases similar formal wear, vacation trips and perhaps a second home.

The NHL flavour doesn't kick off until this coming October. Merely that doesn't mean that you tin can't partake in hockey-related activities this summer, including reading this list-based article that focuses on rookie NHL cards. Someday is a proficient time to bank check out this winter spot, peculiarly if yous're a diehard hockey fan with ice in your veins.

Here are 30 NHL cards (more often than not rookie cards) that are now worth a fortune at auction.

25 Patrick Roy (1986-87)

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Patrick Roy is a former head coach and vice president of hockey operations of the Colorado Avalanche. He is also a old goalie who was drafted 51st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1984 NHL Entry Typhoon.

Roy may exist better known past younger fans as a member of the Avs, but allow'southward non forget that he started out on the Habs' roster in the mid 80s through the mid 90s.

That being said, the 1986-87 O-Pee-Chee rookie card of Roy books for at least $300 if information technology'due south in good condition. Not likewise shabby for an old-school card!

24 Terry Sawchuk (1951-52)

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Terry Sawchuk was ane of the greatest goalies as well as a Detroit Reddish Wings legend.

At the time of his passing, Sawchuk was the all-time leader amidst NHL goalies with 447 wins. Although that prestigious achievement has been surpassed by many other goalies, Sawchuk remains as the all-time leader in wins by goalies in the Original Six era. That'due south the master reason why Sawchuk was named every bit i of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in History in 2017.

This is the most recognizable card of Sawchuk, whose 1951-52 Parkhurst rookie card is worth thousands today.

23 Alex Ovechkin (2003-04)

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Washington Capitals helm and left winger Alex Ovechkin finally added some oomph to his proper noun when his team won the 2018 Stanley Cup Final this twelvemonth.

But, fifty-fifty earlier the Caps' star-studded moment in the nation's capital letter, Ovechkin's 2003-04 SP Authentic rookie menu was worth over $2,000. Right now, the card is worth around the same value if it's kept in good status for that loftier class that could increment the overall value as opposed to one that'southward of fair condition or lower.

This particular carte is one of the most sought after cards of Ovi, and in that location'due south admittedly no shame in your game if you got 1 of these cards.

22 Sidney Crosby (2005)

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Similar Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby is another captain who'due south well on his mode to making the 100 Greatest NHL Players in History list one day.

Anyway, Crosby is a captain and center for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has played for the same team since he initially got drafted first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Typhoon.

You tin can hate on Crosby all you want, but he'southward the all-time player of his era.

Crosby's 2005 Parkhurst rookie card is worth at least $5,000 with a high form. However, if you're on a budget, you can bid for the same card for at least $700.

21 Bobby Orr (1966)

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If you call yourself a existent hockey fan, y'all should be familiar with the proper noun Bobby Orr regardless of your age.

Orr is best known every bit ane of the greatest hockey players of all time. His speed, scoring and play-making abilities allowed him to revolutionize the game. He played most of his pro career with the Boston Bruins and then spent 2 years with the Chicago Blackhawks before announcing his retirement. Afterwards that, he began a career in the player agent industry and later served as the president of the Orr Hockey Grouping.

Orr's 1966 Topps rookie card is worth $5,900 today.

twenty Guy LaFleur (1971)

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Montreal Canadiens legend Guy LaFleur was named as ane of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in History in 2017 for a reason.

LaFleur was the first NHL player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons. Also, he won 5 Stanley Cups with the Habs. Additionally, he spent some time with the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques (now the Colorado Barrage).

LaFleur'due south 1971 O-Pee-Chee rookie carte came out in 1971, and it was auctioned for over $12,000 in an almost perfect form. The price has decreased, only it'southward notwithstanding a boatload of coin for the average person in N America.

xix Jacques Plante (1955)

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Speaking of the Montreal Canadiens, Jacques Plante was some other NHL player that you should know well-nigh if y'all haven't already known.

Plante was a goalie for the Habs. During his x-yr tenure in Montreal, the Habs won the Stanley Cup six times, five of which were sequent wins. He was named to the 100 Greatest Players in History in 2017.

Plante'southward 1955 Quaker Oats rookie card is worth at least $7,200 today. That'due south a lot of money, but it'south understandable, every bit finding 1 of these cards is very difficult since they were in one case distributed in cereal boxes and were frequently ruined in the process.

18 Georges Vezina (1911)

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The Montreal Canadiens donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL at the commencement of 1926-27 NHL flavor in honor of Georges Vezina, a well-known Habs goalie who spent 9 seasons in Montreal.

Vezina, as you may already know, helped the Habs win the Stanley Cup in 1916 and 1924, while making information technology to the Stanley Loving cup Finals 3 more than times. Habs fans often chosen him the "Chicoutimi Cucumber" for his at-home self-control while in goal, and that'south one of the many reasons why he was named to the 100 Greatest Players in History in 2017.

Vezina's 1911 Imperial Tobacco rookie card is worth at least $3,160 today.

17 Bobby Hull (1958)

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Bobby Hull, also known as "The Golden Jet," was 1 of the greatest NHL players of all time. His desirable qualities were blonde hair, terminate-to-end rushes, skating speed, and ability to shoot the puck at a very high velocity.

Hull was born and raised in Point Anne, Ontario, but played for the Chicago Black Hawks (that was the original format of their proper noun), Winnipeg Jets, and the Hartford Whalers during his 23-year pro career. That being said, he was rightfully named as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in History in 2017.

A high quality version of Hull's 1958 Topps rookie card is worth $12,500 today.

xvi Mario Lemieux (1985)

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Mario Lemieux is a current owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and a former NHL player who played parts of 17 seasons with the Blackness and Yellow.

Lemieux was frequently described as a gifted play-maker who was a speedy skater even though he was on the larger side. He paved the way for some NHL stars, including Sidney Crosby, whom he has hosted in his family domicile when he was a youngster. The price for this card has gone as loftier as $14,000.

15 Gordie Howe (1951)

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Now, we accept to tell you about the merely recognized rookie bill of fare of Gordie Howe, which is a 1951 Parkhurst rookie card that'southward worth at least $one,200 today.

As we've mentioned earlier, Howe was a Detroit Ruby-red Wings legend who was best known for his scoring prowess, concrete strength, and pro career longevity.

He was the only NHL actor who has competed in the league in 5 different decades (1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s).

Additionally, the Gordie Howe Chapeau Trick (1 goal, one assistance, one fight in the same game) was named after him.

14 Wayne Gretzky (1979-80 O-Pee-Chee)

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Okay, if you don't know who Wayne Gretzky is, y'all should seriously consider brushing up on your hockey intelligence!

Gretzky is widely known as "The Great One" by many fans, reporters, players, and coaches who accept been involved with the NHL one way or another. He gathered more than assists than any other player scored total points, and is the just NHL thespian to total more than than 200 points in a single season. He held 61 records up until 2017.

Gretzky'due south 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie carte is worth at least $ii,200 today, but 1 in a high grade status can go as loftier as $50,000.

13 Al MacInnis (1985)

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Al MacInnis may not be a household name in the hockey world, but the onetime defenseman is worth checking out if you lot haven't already done so. He played 23 seasons in the NHL and won the Conn Smythe Bays as the MVP of the 1989 NHL playoffs subsequently leading the Calgary Flames to the Stanley Cup Finals.

MacInnis is disregarded by lots of folks, but he was named as one of the 100 Greatest Players in History in 2017.

12 Wayne Gretzky (1979 Topps)

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Yeah, in that location were in fact multiple editions of a Wayne Gretzky rookie menu, and if you managed to go your hands on any of them, you could make quite a bundle.

Gretzky's noteworthy pro career spanned all over North America, and the NHL retired his No.99 jersey around the league, which was a prestigious honour equally he was the just NHL player who received such an accolade.

Gretzky's 1979 Topps rookie card is worth at to the lowest degree $ii,000 today.

xi Jari Kurri (1981-82)

via theoilersgrig.com

Oilers fans take been suffering through some terrible hockey the by decade, but we take to call back just how spoiled Edmonton fans were in the 80s.

Erstwhile Oilers right winger Jari Kurri hails from Helsinki, Finland, and relocated to Edmonton, Alberta, afterward he signed with the team following a three-season tenure with Jokerit of the SM-liiga. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001 and was later named as ane of the 100 Greatest Players in History in 2017. He currently serves every bit the general manager of Jokerit.

x Brett Hull (1988-89)

via nhl.com

NHL star Brett Hull is the son of NHL legend, Bobby Hull, whom we've mentioned earlier in this list-based article, and pro figure skater Joanne McKay. There'due south no shortage of athletic genes in the Hull family unit.

Anyhow, Brett played 19 seasons in the NHL for the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes. His career total of 741 goals is the fourth largest in league history, and he was one of only 5 players to score 50 goals in l games.

9 Paul Coffey (1981-82)

via edmontonjournal.com

Paul Coffey, a retired defenseman who played for 9 NHL teams in his 21-year tenure, was best known for his speed and scoring prowess. He ranks second all-time among defensemen in career goals, assists, and points. He won the Norris Trophy 3 times, which was incredible for defensemen in general.

Coffey, as you may already know, began his pro career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1980.

He rapidly blossomed into an NHL star in his first few years, and he went on to become one of the all-time offensive defensemen of all time.

8 Ray Bourque (1979-lxxx)

via nhl.com

As you can see, at that place are two sentences written in English and French on Ray Bourque's 1979-lxxx O-Pee-Chee rookie card.

As you may already know, Bourque made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins and played the majority of his pro career in Beantown before spending two years with the Colorado Avalanche.

Bourque currently holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by an NHL defenseman. He likewise won the Norris Trophy five times in his career.

7 Steve Yzerman (1983-84)

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Steve Yzerman is another proper noun in Detroit Red Wings history that you gotta know.

Yzerman is currently the full general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he played his entire pro career with the Red Wings in the Motor Urban center. He's a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and was named as one of the 100 Greatest Players in History in 2017.

Despite relocating to the United states of america, Yzerman continued to represent his abode country of Canada on several occasions.

6 Mark Messier (1980-81 O-Pee-Chee)

via nhl.com

Mark Messier is meliorate known for his tenure with the New York Rangers, but did you know that he was originally drafted 48th overall past the Edmonton Oilers in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft? Aye, that's right.

Messier was often described equally a tearing, tough competitor whose extreme leadership on and off the ice was valuable to his beau teammates.

That description was attached to him throughout his career, which made him one of the greatest players of all time.

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