Trey Augustine's teammates had been chirping him all week about his signature.
He walked into our table not knowing what an RPA was, but immediately knew what a 'grail' was -- and I loved his answer.
"Is that something people chase after, like the Holy Grail?"
Yeah, Trey. Exactly.
He got 2 out of 4 on the hobby quiz, rated himself 'pretty average' on the card ranking, and walked away knowing that his autograph is going on the rookie cards collectors will pull from packs this fall. That's a big deal whether you're into the hobby or not.
Cole Eiserman showed up with a Pikachu on his phone case.
James Hagens showed up never having really cared about hockey cards.
Then Scottie put the Macklin Celebrini 1/1 Gold Outburst on the table -- $250,000 in auction, three days after the pull, potentially the first $1 million card in hockey history -- and James immediately asked:
"Do you think he's better off holding on to it?"
That's the right question. That's what every collector is thinking right now.
The #1 pick just got his first lesson in the hobby. 🚨
Gavin McKenna walked into our setup at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase having never heard of a slab.
By the time he left, he'd written two words on a card that I think are going to be legendary in this hobby one day. "No regrets."
That's his inscription. That's his brand. And he's the first rookie we've seen correctly rank four of the most iconic cards in the game — ahead of every other rookie who came through our table.
New video is live now. Go see why I think McKenna's cards are worth chasing before his first NHL season starts. 🔒
I sat down with the man behind @UpperDeckOfficial's hockey cards at The National.
Paul Zickler -- Director of Sports Brand at Upper Deck -- joined us at the booth for a 30-minute conversation that goes places most collectors never get to go.
The Macklin Celebrini 1/1 Gold Outburst and why Paul thinks it could be hockey's first $1 million card. The story of Ovechkin refusing to sign his collector inscription until AFTER he broke the record. Gretzky's personal video message to the 2026 rookie class. How Upper Deck actually selects jersey patches. What's coming this fall with Tableau. And we ripped packs live at the booth.
This is insider access. New video is live now. Link above.
Same quiz. Same cards. Same $250,000 Ovechkin RPA in front of them.
Not one of them expected what came next.
One rookie got his dad's hockey card back — from a season Scottie played with him in 2000. Another wrote two words on a rookie inscription that I think the hobby is going to be quoting for years.
The full 30+ minute Rookie Showcase video is live now. All 7 rookies, back to back, uncut.
I went in with one goal: the Connor McDavid RPA. What it cost me? 6 PSA 10s and some cash.
Also in this one: → Took Gavin McKenna and the 2026 NHL Rookie Class onto the show floor → Sat with Upper Deck's Paul Zickler on the hobby and Celebrini → Live break with We the Hobby → Found a kid in a Toews jersey who needed some packs more than I did
We sat down with Paul Zickler, Director of Sports Brands at @UpperDeckOfficial live at The National 2026. If you want to understand where the hobby is headed — this is worth your time.
Started the morning sitting down with the NHL's best incoming rookies at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase presented by @UpperDeck — then took them onto the floor of the biggest card show in the world for the first time.
But I came to Chicago with one mission. One card.
Connor McDavid. 2015 UD The Cup. Exquisite RPA. PSA 10. 33/97.
First deal fell through. Kept moving. Diamond Dave from Relics in Toronto made it happen.
$42,000 card. Biggest deal I've ever made.
Go watch it. More from The National coming soon. 🎥
Locker19
Trey Augustine's teammates had been chirping him all week about his signature.
He walked into our table not knowing what an RPA was, but immediately knew what a 'grail' was -- and I loved his answer.
"Is that something people chase after, like the Holy Grail?"
Yeah, Trey. Exactly.
He got 2 out of 4 on the hobby quiz, rated himself 'pretty average' on the card ranking, and walked away knowing that his autograph is going on the rookie cards collectors will pull from packs this fall. That's a big deal whether you're into the hobby or not.
Full video is up now. 🔒
#TreyAugustine #HockeyCards #NHLRookieShowcase #Locker19
3 days ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
Cole Eiserman showed up with a Pikachu on his phone case.
James Hagens showed up never having really cared about hockey cards.
Then Scottie put the Macklin Celebrini 1/1 Gold Outburst on the table -- $250,000 in auction, three days after the pull, potentially the first $1 million card in hockey history -- and James immediately asked:
"Do you think he's better off holding on to it?"
That's the right question. That's what every collector is thinking right now.
Full video is up on the channel. 🔒
#ColeEiserman #JamesHagens #HockeyCards #NHLRookieShowcase #Locker19
5 days ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
The #1 pick just got his first lesson in the hobby. 🚨
Gavin McKenna walked into our setup at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase having never heard of a slab.
By the time he left, he'd written two words on a card that I think are going to be legendary in this hobby one day.
"No regrets."
That's his inscription. That's his brand. And he's the first rookie we've seen correctly rank four of the most iconic cards in the game — ahead of every other rookie who came through our table.
New video is live now. Go see why I think McKenna's cards are worth chasing before his first NHL season starts. 🔒
#GavinMcKenna #HockeyCards #NHLRookieShowcase #Locker19
6 days ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Locker19
I sat down with the man behind @UpperDeckOfficial's hockey cards at The National.
Paul Zickler -- Director of Sports Brand at Upper Deck -- joined us at the booth for a 30-minute conversation that goes places most collectors never get to go.
The Macklin Celebrini 1/1 Gold Outburst and why Paul thinks it could be hockey's first $1 million card. The story of Ovechkin refusing to sign his collector inscription until AFTER he broke the record. Gretzky's personal video message to the 2026 rookie class. How Upper Deck actually selects jersey patches. What's coming this fall with Tableau. And we ripped packs live at the booth.
This is insider access. New video is live now. Link above.
#HockeyCards #UpperDeck #PaulZickler #TheNational2026 #Locker19 #Hobby
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
Every 2026 NHL rookie came through our table. 🃏
Same quiz. Same cards. Same $250,000 Ovechkin RPA in front of them.
Not one of them expected what came next.
One rookie got his dad's hockey card back — from a season Scottie played with him in 2000. Another wrote two words on a rookie inscription that I think the hobby is going to be quoting for years.
The full 30+ minute Rookie Showcase video is live now. All 7 rookies, back to back, uncut.
McKenna. Augustine. McQueen. Hughes. Eiserman. Hagens. Hutson. Martone. Cerrato.
Grab a pack and hit play. The next wave of NHL cards just sat at our table. 🔒
#NHLRookieShowcase #HockeyCards #Locker19 #Hobby #UpperDeck
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
The National 2026 full vlog is LIVE.
I went in with one goal: the Connor McDavid RPA.
What it cost me? 6 PSA 10s and some cash.
Also in this one:
→ Took Gavin McKenna and the 2026 NHL Rookie Class onto the show floor
→ Sat with Upper Deck's Paul Zickler on the hobby and Celebrini
→ Live break with We the Hobby
→ Found a kid in a Toews jersey who needed some packs more than I did
Full weekend. Real deals. Worth the watch.
Was the McDavid trade worth it? Drop your take ⬇️
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
We sat down with Paul Zickler, Director of Sports Brands at @UpperDeckOfficial live at The National 2026. If you want to understand where the hobby is headed — this is worth your time.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
Day 1 at The National is LIVE on the channel. 🔒
Started the morning sitting down with the NHL's best incoming rookies at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase presented by @UpperDeck — then took them onto the floor of the biggest card show in the world for the first time.
But I came to Chicago with one mission. One card.
Connor McDavid. 2015 UD The Cup. Exquisite RPA. PSA 10. 33/97.
First deal fell through. Kept moving. Diamond Dave from Relics in Toronto made it happen.
$42,000 card. Biggest deal I've ever made.
Go watch it. More from The National coming soon. 🎥
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Locker19
We took John Elway's hot hand to 30,000 feet. 🚀
Shot 75 at golf. Pulled a Jaxson Dart auto. Pulled it again. Then got on a private jet and cracked boxes at 30k with Breakers Delight.
Randy Moss auto. Devin Hester auto. Back to back.
Full episode live now.
#JohnElway #PrivateJet #NFLCards #Locker19
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Locker19
"My son came running over and said, 'Wayne Gretzky is here!' I said, 'Yeah buddy, he's sitting right next to me.'" — Brad Richards
11 years old and he still knew exactly who he was looking at. 🐐 Full story in the new episode with Brad Richards.
1 month ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Load more