Mason McTavish Rookie Cards: Best Sets and Parallels

A lot of times sports card collectors and investors are priced out of certain players, especially top rookies from recent releases. But in hockey cards, there are more opportunities to collect for a lower price point, and possibly even make investments in phenomenal cards for a fraction of the price of other sports.

Mason McTavish was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and made his debut in 2021 as the center for the Anaheim Ducks, scoring two goals in nine games. Keeping rookie status into this season, he has already racked up 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 63 games, making him one of the hottest rookies in the league, and someone who sports card investors should pay attention to long term.

McTavish appeals to both hardcore hockey investors and to hockey card novices who have experience collecting and investing in other sports but want to dip their toes into the proverbial hockey card investing waters. 

Note: Since many hockey card sales on eBay use Canadian dollars, prices will be reflected in either USD (American Dollars) or CAD (Canadian Dollars) in this article.

VALUE ROOKIES:

The Value Tier includes cards with high print runs or lower-quality cardstock. A good fit for new collectors or those on a limited budget.

2021 Black Double Diamond Rookie Gems Retro: From Upper Deck’s 2021 Extended Series Hockey, Rookie Gems is a simple Black Diamond design featuring a nice action shot of the Ducks’ young center ready to catch a pass. It can be had raw for well under $10 USD.

2021 Upper Deck Synergy Rookie Journey /799: An interesting thing about Upper Deck Synergy Hockey, is that the Rookie Journey inserts are serial numbered, which adds a bit of an element of intrigue for any collector or investor looking for a bargain. The Rookie Journey Draft version from Synergy is serial numbered to /999. Both are very affordable.

2021 Upper Deck SP Game Used /999: A release that golf collectors may be familiar with, SP Game Used features memorabilia within the set, but this McTavish rookie is a simple card with rounded corners serial numbered to /999 with an “Authentic Rookie” designation on the front.

2021 Upper Deck Black Diamond Rookie Gems: From Extended Series Hockey, this Black Diamond Rookie Gems insert is a common card that can be had raw for less than $1 CAD.

POPULAR ROOKIES:

This tier includes cards from the most popular sets across both retail and hobby formats. Typically easy to buy or sell when needed.

2021 Upper Deck Young Guns Base: Definitely the most liquid rookie card for any hockey player, let alone McTavish, is the Young Guns Base, in a PSA 10 grade, of course. From Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, McTavish’s base Young Guns sells for about $70 in PSA 10.

2021 Upper Deck Young Guns Canvas: While it carries the Young Guns name, it’s not the same classic design as the base card. This insert is also from Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, but is seen more as the equivalent to a Prizm Emergent insert — to use a basketball card comparison — from a value and collectability standpoint vs. the classic base card.

2021 Upper Deck Program of Excellence Canvas: Also from Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, this insert focuses on McTavish playing for Team Canada, not Anaheim. It’s about half the value of the Young Guns Canvas above.

MORE UNIQUE ROOKIES:

This tier includes cards with lower print runs, unique designs, or cards from hobby-only products. Usually higher-quality cards than the Value or Popular tiers, though not necessarily more popular or easier to buy or sell.

2021 SP Game Used Authentic Rookies /37: A much more desirable card from Upper Deck SP Game Used Hockey, the silver /37 rookie represents McTavish’s jersey #37. The autographed (but non-serial numbered) version with the same action shot sells raw for just north of $50 USD.

2021 Upper Deck Black Diamond Rookie Gems /399: From Black Diamond Hockey, this sharp, simple design featuring a close up of McTavish is serial numbered to /399 and can be had for between $20-$30 USD.

RAREST AND MOST EXCLUSIVE:

This category may be out of reach for most collectors due to price, but they have the highest upside as investments heading into future International and World Cup Competitions and are still fun to look at. Don’t worry if this tier is too pricey as there’s a host of options in other categories that could be perfect for your collection.

2021 NHL Metal Universe Rookie Auto Gold: Considering this is from an iconic brand/set, Metal Universe, it makes this auto super desirable. On a premium shiny finish, again featuring an auto with jersey #23 on a sticker in spite of him being in his Ducks jersey #37, the card features the word “Rookie” in script above his name. While not a PMG, this card should carry value due to it being part of the Metal Universe set.

2021 Upper Deck Black Diamond Silver On Black Signature Auto /149: This card is pretty sweet. It features a black patch in the middle of the card signed in silver ink. His auto features #23 in it, which is his jersey number for Team Canada, which we think makes it interesting being that his photo is of him in Ducks jersey #37.

2021 SP Game Used Inked Rookie Sweaters Patch Auto /49: Inked Rookie Sweaters is a solid rookie patch auto, and while the set is called “Game Used” the material in these 49 RPAs is all certified as “player worn.”

2021 NHL Metal Universe Cyan Printing Plate 1/1: The one-of-one kind of says it all, related to the “rarest and most exclusive” category. This sold in March for $269.99 CAD ($196.75 USD).

With the Sports Card Investor app, you can profit from the hobby you love by keeping up with trending cards, tracking real-time prices with Market Movers and buying items on eBay. Download the industry-leading app here for Apple or Android

Note to readers: If you purchase something through one of our affiliates, we may earn a commission.

Paul Hickey is a regular contributor to Sports Card Investor, the creator of the Sports Card Investment Report at NoOffseason.com, and the host of the Sports Card Strategy Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. He can be found on Instagram at @sportscardstrategy and on Twitter @nooffseasoncard.