One of the most anticipated names in hockey for several years, collectors finally got their wish as "The Next One" made his official NHL debut and Connor McDavid rookie cards soon followed. Although just a teenager at the time, many appointed McDavid as the budding king of the hobby and his cards have only increased in popularity. In the long run, Connor McDavid rookie cards have the potential to not only be the biggest from 2015-16, but in all of NHL card collecting.
Coming as no surprise, the Edmonton Oilers made Connor McDavid the first overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft. While his official 2015-16 hockey rookie cards were limited until the midway point in the season, many early cards were already available.
Check out the key cards that pre-date his NHL career in our detailed prospect and pre-rookie guide.
Although Upper Deck holds the sole rights for NHL cards, the card company removed any doubt regarding McDavid's autograph cards with an exclusive agreement that makes UD the only place to find his signed cardboard. They later added an autographed memorabilia exclusive.
The first live, pack-pulled NHL rookie card for McDavid is found in 2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey, with many more after that.
Upper Deck also released a special commemorative product that is dedicated just to the young star: 2015-16 Upper Deck Connor McDavid Collection.
See also: Real-Time Connor McDavid Cards Hot List
Connor McDavid Rookie Card Checklist and Gallery
Shop for cards or check values using the eBay links below. Bolded set links go directly to applicable product profiles and checklists.
2015-16 Fleer Showcase Connor McDavid RC #189 Autographed Patch #/299
In addition to a bevy of 1990s-themed inserts like Precious Metal Gems, 2015-16 Fleer Showcase offers an intriguing autographed patch for Connor McDavid rookie collectors. At 299 copies, the RC is rare but still plentiful enough to keep values from going crazy. While the sticker autograph is not preferred, the design does a solid job of incorporating it and the moderate jersey patch gives it more appeal.
2015-16 O-Pee-Chee #1 Draft Pick Oilers Puzzle Redemption Card #/97
An early Connor McDavid option that received a lot of attention, the #1 Draft Pick card in 2015-16 OPC took some extra work. Collectors had to track down all nine pieces of the puzzle from packs of OPC and send them to Upper Deck.
With overall odds of 1:104 packs, this was not the easiest set to make. Capped at only 97 copies, the promotion filled fairly quickly. These are not easy cards to find.
2015-16 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Connor McDavid RC #190 Autograph
Although he missed out on the main OPC set earlier in the year, collectors can get their Connor McDavid O-Pee-Chee fix with a splash of chromium. The on-card 2015-16 OPC Platinum autograph comes in a variety of parallels of varying colors and rarity.
The base autograph card is not numbered, but Upper Deck revealed he is part of the Group C signers (1:704 packs).
His Marquee Rookie insert (#M-1) is also popular.
2015-16 SP Authentic Connor McDavid RC #226 Autograph #/999
One of the most plentiful numbered autographs for McDavid, 2015-16 SP Authentic carries a strong tradition with collectors. In addition to the base Future Watch Autograph for McDavid, there is also an autographed patch version that is numbered to 100 copies and a limited-edition black card.
2015-16 SP Game Used Connor McDavid RC #197 #/97
Despite not offering anything extra, like an autograph or relic, the 2015-16 SP Game Used rookie for McDavid will go down as one of his rarest at just 97 copies. There are also several relic parallels that are easier to track down.
2015-16 SPx Connor McDavid RC #169 Autographed Jersey #/399
The design might not be for everyone and the tiny jersey pieces really don't add much, but 2015-16 SPx certainly has its share of fans. The slightly higher print run makes it one of the most common autograph jersey cards among the Connor McDavid rookies.
2015-16 UD Black Connor McDavid RC #85 Autograph #/199
Loaded with foil and an especially striking look thanks to the silver signature, 2015-16 UD Black gives collectors another on-card autograph for McDavid. Limited inserts in the product offer gold ink signatures.
2015-16 Ultimate Collection Connor McDavid RC #109 Autograph #/99
While the segmented boxes make for an odd design, the Ultimate name still helps carry strong interest for this Connor McDavid rookie card. 2015-16 Ultimate Collection includes a base autograph, a relic-only version and a limited autographed relic.
2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 Young Guns Connor McDavid RC #201
The first official rookie card for Connor McDavid is available in UD Series 1 and is still his top overall choice for many collectors. The Young Guns line has emerged as the go-to base rookie cards for hockey fans, and this card has been eagerly anticipated since he was taken with the first pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
In addition to several YG parallels, McDavid is included alongside Sam Bennett on the Young Guns checklist card (#250).
Collectors looking for McDavid's Canvas card need to check out Series 2. Series 2 is also home to his OPC Update rookie card.
Signed buybacks (hand-numbered to 97) came in 2017-18 SP Authentic.
2015-16 Upper Deck Artifacts Connor McDavid Redemptions - Base #RED205, Autograph/Relic/Autograph Relic #I
The most popular and plentiful of the Connor McDavid rookie redemptions, 2015-16 Artifacts includes a base version and several premium choices. The Roman numeral (#I) redemptions are found as relics, autographs, or autograph relics.
2015-16 Upper Deck Black Diamond Connor McDavid RC #BDR-CM Quad Diamond #/99
Featuring a quartet of gems, 2015-16 Black Diamond should remain one of the higher-end rookie options for McDavid despite not adding his signature. A print run of just 99 virtually guarantees strong values for the foreseeable future.
2015-16 Upper Deck Champs Connor McDavid RC #315, #321
Rebooting a former brand, 2015-16 Upper Deck Champ's includes a pair of Connor McDavid short prints in the base set. Part of a 45-card group that falls 1:5 packs, card #315 has him looking ahead. Much more difficult to find is #321, which shows McDavid looking to the side. This Rare Rookies subset card averages 1:600 packs across the six subjects.
2015-16 Upper Deck Contours Connor McDavid RC #131 Autographed Jersey #/199
Found amongst a mix of hockey stars and celebrity fans, the Connor McDavid rookie is still the main draw in 2015-16 Contours. The die-cut design makes for a non-traditional look, but the on-card signature, large patch and rarity keep it higher on the collecting radar. A limited Gold Patch parallel brings that total down to 35 copies.
2015-16 Upper Deck Full Force Connor McDavid RC #101
Part of the Full Force Freshmen subset, the 3D rookie for Connor McDavid is a unique option for collectors as lenticular cards are not normally used as official rookies. The card is found in the debut 2015-16 UD Full Force product that emphasizes inserts and various card technologies reminiscent of the hobby in the 1990s. Given the 23-card checklist and overall hobby odds of 1:18 packs, these are no easy pull. There is also a large variety of other inserts for McDavid, including foil, acetate and die-cuts.
2015-16 Upper Deck Ice Connor McDavid RC #200 #/99
It may not have an autograph, relic, or even a diamond, but the 2015-16 Upper Deck Ice rookie card for Connor McDavid does have a very limited print run of 99 in addition to acetate stock. There is a signed version that is slightly more plentiful at 125 copies.
2015-16 Upper Deck MVP #1 Draft Pick Redemption Card
This redemption from 2015-16 MVP Hockey offers collectors the very first chance at a Connor McDavid rookie card pulled from a standard set. While it is not ideal for collectors to have to wait, this rare card holds a special place for many collectors.
The Connor McDavid redemption card is a tough pull at 1:960 hobby packs or 1:9,600 retail/blaster packs. There is also a signed version that is much more elusive at 1:10,250 hobby packs.
2015-16 Upper Deck MVP Rookie Redemptions Connor McDavid #278 (Pacific Divison)
Another McDavid rookie redemption in MVP, this card comes as part of the eight-card set that also includes Max Domi.
2015-16 Upper Deck Portfolio Connor McDavid RC #250 (Color), #315 (Wire), #330 (Color Art), #340 (B/W Art
Giving collectors considerable base variety, 2015-16 Upper Deck Portfolio features four different Connor McDavid rookie cards. The color Rookie Phenom is the most common while the Black & White Art Card is the rarest.
2015-16 Upper Deck Premier Connor McDavid RC #115 Autographed Jersey #/19
Combining acetate with an on-card signature and jersey swatch, 2015-16 Upper Deck Premier is anything but simple. Limited to 199 copies, there are a few parallels that push that number much lower.
2015-16 Upper Deck The Cup Connor McDavid RC #197 Autographed Patch #/99
The pinnacle of high-end rookie cards, The Cup needs no introduction. When you add the most celebrated rookie in years to the most valuable set each season, huge sales follow 2015-16 UD The Cup.
2015-16 Upper Deck Tim Hortons #1 Draft Pick Redemption
This rare redemption option for McDavid is found in the insanely popular Tim Hortons promotional set.
At 1:16,470 packs, these are quite tough to hit.
2015-16 Upper Deck Trilogy Connor McDavid RC #101 #/999, #134 Autograph #/499, #167 Autograph #/49, #200 Triple Autograph #/25 (w/ Larkin, Domi
Collectors are treated to multiple Connor McDavid rookie card tiers and rarities in 2015-16 Trilogy. In addition to the base Level 1 Rookie Premieres version that is numbered to 999, collectors can find two different signed cards for McDavid (Uncommon and Rare) and a triple signature that also includes sticker autographs for Max Domi and Dylan Larkin.
2015-16 UD Exquisite Collection Rookies Connor McDavid
While it was issued as an insert in 2015-16 Black Diamond, the Exquisite Collection rookie cards for McDavid still sees considerable interest and value. The Jersey version is more common with 199 copies and there is a base Gold Spectrum option that is limited to 97. McDavid also has more Exquisite cards in 2015-16 UD Ice, including the base card under the brand (#/299) and 2003-04 Exquisite Tribute Autographed Patch.
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