Ben Bishop
Rookie Card Year: 2008-09
Investment Rating: 6.5
It took some time, but "Big Ben" is finally standing tall in net for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After spending several years as a backup and role player for a couple of teams, Ben Bishop has worked his way up to being one of the NHL's top goalies. However, despite his increasing success on the ice, Ben Bishop rookie cards remain relatively affordable.
Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2005 in the third round, he spent a bit of time with the team as a backup. Bishop was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2012, playing a total of 23 games for the team. It was in his first full season with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013-14 that Bishop was finally given a chance. And he has made the most of it, being at the top of the teams goaltender depth chart.
Ben Bishop rookie cards are in a handful of 2008-09 products. Because he wasn't considered one of the game's elite prospects entering the season, only a couple of his later cards are autographed. The majority are basic cards enhanced, sometimes, by a serial number.
The top Ben Bishop rookie card is, without a doubt, found in 2008-09 Upper Deck The Cup. Hailing from the company's most high-end hockey brand, it's not only numbered to a low 249 but it also has an on-card autograph and a patch swatch. His O-Pee-Chee Premier card is the only other base rookie card of Bishop's with a signature. As far as unsigned Ben Bishop rookie cards go, the 2008-09 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection is the rarest. It's numbered to 299.
Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, even going deep into the playoffs, means limited exposure for Bishop. Combine that with his somewhat late blossoming and it's highly unlikely that the goalie's cards will enter the hobby's elite. That said, they're still largely overlooked and could see some growth.
Ben Bishop Rookie Card Checklist
Click on the links to shop for specific cards on eBay.
Low- to Mid-Range Rookie Cards
Premium Rookie Cards
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