Ivan Demidov Young Guns: The Most Anticipated Hockey Card of 2025-26

Every fall, the release of Upper Deck Series 1 marks one of the most exciting moments for hockey card collectors. The 2025-26 edition is shaping up to be a landmark in the hobby, largely because of the highly anticipated debut of the Ivan Demidov Young Guns rookie card.

A Generational Talent

Selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Russian winger Ivan Demidov has already captured the attention of scouts and fans alike. With elite skating, vision, and offensive instincts, Demidov is often compared to stars like Nikita Kucherov and Artemi Panarin. Now a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he represents hope for a franchise searching for a dynamic scoring threat.

As he prepares for his rookie season, excitement around Demidov’s arrival continues to build. That hype has made his Young Guns rookie card the clear centerpiece of Upper Deck’s 2025-26 Series 1 checklist.

Upper Deck Series 1: A Legacy of Legends

For more than three decades, Upper Deck’s Young Guns subset has marked the first official card of future NHL superstars. Iconic releases like Sidney Crosby (2005-06), Connor McDavid (2015-16), and Auston Matthews (2016-17) have become hobby cornerstones, appreciating dramatically in value over time.

Demidov’s card is expected to follow in their footsteps. Series 1 traditionally comes with 24 packs per hobby box, eight cards per pack, and roughly six Young Guns rookies per box—but collectors know that one name can drive an entire release, and this year, that name is Ivan Demidov.

New Design and Special Inserts

Upper Deck has teased a modernized 2025-26 design, combining bold photography with a sleeker, more holographic finish. The product will again feature premium parallel versions such as Clear Cut, Canvas, Exclusive /100, and High Gloss /10.

If rumors are true, the Clear Cut Young Guns Ivan Demidov variant could quickly become one of the most desirable hockey cards of the decade. Collectors also expect the image to feature Demidov wearing the Canadiens jersey during training camp, a detail that would make the card even more meaningful for Montreal fans.

Secondary Market Outlook

Once Series 1 officially drops in fall 2025, prices for the Demidov Young Guns are projected to soar. Early sales could range between $300 and $500 CAD, depending on print condition and initial on-ice performance. Numbered or graded versions—especially Exclusive and High Gloss parallels—could fetch far higher premiums if the young star starts strong.

As always, scarcity and hype will drive demand, and with Demidov’s immense potential, this card could rival the hobby’s biggest rookie releases of the past decade.

Conclusion

The Upper Deck 2025-26 Series 1 release is poised to be a defining moment for collectors and Canadiens fans alike. The Ivan Demidov Young Guns rookie card symbolizes not only the dawn of a new chapter in Montreal but also one of the most exciting investment opportunities in the hockey card world. With a blend of elite talent, rarity, and anticipation, this card might very well become the “holy grail” of 2025.