A Guide To The 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns

The 2023-24 season was a bumper year for hockey cards. Connor Bedard was quickly the most widely anticipated rookie card in the sport for ages. No one in the 2024-25 crop of Young Guns can compare with him. But what does that mean?

Is the current crop a good one that doesn’t have anyone in that stratosphere? Or does it fall short of the norm as well? Find out in our 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns guide.

What are Upper Deck Hockey Young Guns?

For hockey fans, this series needs no introduction. But, despite that fact, CardLines has introduced these cards before.

It really has no direct equivalent in other sports. Instead, it is the standard rookie card in a unique insert series. The Young Guns cards combine a pleasingly high value with relatively easy availability in a flagship product.

Upper Deck has perpetuated the desirability of its flagship products in a way Topps has been unable to match. Here we present the top 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns.

Tier 1 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns

Jesper Wallstedt – Goalie – Minnesota Wild

Jesper Wallstedt is considered a great prospect and was taken 20^th in the 2021 NHL Draft. Generally considered to be a very promising goalie. The problem is, at least in the short term, that there is so much competition for a spot with three goalies worthy of playing time on the roster.

Cutter Gauthier – Forward – Anaheim Ducks

Taken as a high pick by the Flyers, but now, with Anaheim, this Swedish player has a chance of becoming something special, especially with a goal per game for Boston College.

The Athletic wrote of him, “With his size and speed, he can overpower opponents to force turnovers or in how he attacks the net, making him an asset on the PK. Gauthier can create with his skating and skill, but his main offensive weapon is his shot.”

Mavrik Bourque – Center – Dallas Stars

After the strong year Mavrik Bourque (what a great name) had in the AHL last year, the Stars will not be able to ignore the guys. Elite Prospects raves about him, noting, “His hockey IQ is unreal. Out of nothing, he will make plays that no one else can see on the ice.

Bourque is very effective at putting the puck in the proper space so he can protect the puck. He’s so good at bringing defenders to him. With the occasional head fake or a change of speed, he’s shown a real knack for luring defensemen out of passing lanes.”

Shakir Mukhamadullin – Defense – San Jose Sharks

One of the more exciting and complete players on this list. Drafted 20^th by the Devils, and it’s easy to see why. An extensive and physical defenseman with a lethal shot. Word is that his offense can improve, too.

Scott Morrow – Defense – Carolina Hurricanes

With less hype, Scott is a sneaky good prospect with a ton of versatility. Elite Prospects raves, “With constant hip pocket deception, changes of pace, and eyes that never reveal the intended play, he embarrasses defenders.

After breaking down a defender, he continues manipulating to drag over another defender before rolling his wrists, turning the fake shot into a pass to an open teammate.”

Brad Lambert – Center – Winnipeg Jets

There is one thing you can’t argue with in hockey: points. And Brad Lambert puts up many of them—55 in 64 AHL games as a 19-year-old. That is incredibly impressive. His explosive skating style helps him evade defenders. The guy works hard and does it all right. I see a star here.

Lane Hutson – Defense – Montreal Canadiens

There is a lot to like here. First of all, the Montreal market is top-notch. Second, Lane Hutson gets a point per game wherever he goes as a defenseman, including some stellar NHL performances. All that is enough to overlook his size.

Olen Zellweger – Defense – Anaheim Ducks

When Olen Zellweger was taken in the second round, he was not expected to perform this well. But he has already broken into the Ducks team after looking fantastic in the AHL.

Dobber Prospects calls him a “puck-rushing defenseman with outstanding skating ability. His well-rounded games give him potential as a top-four defender in the NHL.” Agreed.

Logan Stankoven – Forward – Dallas Stars

It isn’t often that the number one guy among the Young Guns is 5’8″. But this is the exception that proves the rule. The stats don’t lie.  He scored 97 points in 48 games in his last season in the WHL and 57 points in 47 in his first season in the AHL.

Now only 21 years old, good chance that he can take the NHL by storm. His offensive skills have always been off the charts, and he has proven that size is no obstacle.

Joshua Roy – Right Wing – Montreal Canadiens

Joshua Roy was picked in the fifth round of the draft. However, Joshua made up a ton of ground since, winning the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships and picking up many points in the QMJHL before some excellent showings in the AHL.

A bright future is ahead, and the market Roy is in makes him one to look into.

Liam Ohgren – Left Wing – Minnesota Wild

We haven’t seen enough of Liam Ohgren to get a whole idea of his capabilities. But he was picked high in the draft, and Minnesota believed in him.

Dobber Prospects writes, “Play-driving winger with a nose for scoring areas and refined off-puck habits. A safe bet as a top-nine winger in the NHL with the potential for more.”

Tier 2 of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns guide

Matt Rempe – Center – New York Rangers

They say enforcers are a thing of the past in hockey. But they are wrong. And who are “they” anyway? Matt Rempe authoritarian style of play and charisma have made him the talk of the sport. However, considering he is more muscular than skill, it remains to be seen if he can get value based on a formidable reputation.

Brennan Othmann – Left Wing – New York Rangers

Brennan Othmann was a super prospect, said to be “a complete player who delivers shots, passes and hits at top speed. Good forechecker, too.” But he could not break into the Rangers’ Opening Night roster, and his development seems somewhat delayed.  

Gavin Brindley – Right Wing – Columbus Blue Jackets

Talented and young but undersized.

Gavin Brindley – Right Wing – Columbus Blue Jackets

Another undersized player, but with quite a bit of upside. Gavin Bridley skates fast and works very hard.

Bradly Nadeau – Left Wing – Carolina Hurricanes

Bradley Nadeau is YET ANOTHER smallish forward. But his skills are less polished than the others. So a bit less upside.

Zack Ostapchuk – Center – Ottawa Senators

Zack Ostapchuk has the opposite problem from most of these guys. All the size in the word, but lacking the polish.

Zachary Bolduc – Center – St. Louis Blues

He hasn’t been scoring at the rate expected in the AHL and early in the NHL. But anyone who watches Zachary Bolduc sees the speed and craftiness that could help him blossom into a star.

Zach Dean – Center – St. Louis Blues

Much hype around him when he was drafted. However, his very mediocre performances in the AHL have plummeted his reputation. But Zach Dean is still young enough to turn it around.

Luca Del Bel Belluz – Center – Columbus Blue Jackets

Luca Del Bel Belluz is the opposite of Zach. No one talked about him when he entered the AHL, but he has been stellar there. We will be watching to see if he can keep it up.

Ethan Del Mastro – Defenseman – Chicago Blackhawks

Showing a lot more offensive upside than expected. Undoubtedly, he will have a promising NHL career with his two-way abilities. But will the offense be enough for stardom? Probably not.

Brendan Brisson – Center – Vegas Golden Knights

Brendan has all the skills you need and is an exceptionally skilled assistant. But we want to see him shoot more assertively because the Knights prospect certainly can.

Frank Nazar – Center – Chicago Blackhawks

When a 5”9 center is drafted 13^th, you know they have skills. And he has the skating skills you expect from a small, crafty player. But we still worry about the size.

Arshdeep Bains – Left Wing – Vancouver Canucks

Arshdeep is a bit older than you would like for a prospect. But we remember his ridiculous 2021-22 season, during which he scored 112 points in 68 games at the WHL level and looked very sharp in the AHL.

Josh Doan – Right Wing – Arizona Coyotes

Best known for being the son of the great Shane Doan, the leading all-time Coyotes scorer. That brings some cache. But Josh Doan also has strong performances in college and the AHL and was the 37^th draft pick in 2021.

Logan Mailloux – Defense – Montreal Canadiens

Logan Mailloux was involved in a scandal that has overshadowed his athletic development. Nonetheless, the Canadiens drafted him, and he has shown good form since.

His high profile alongside a very large market may paradoxically create a market for Mailloux’s cards. The market is very strong, but I do have concerns about Logan’s mobility.

Sam Colangelo – Right Wing – Anaheim Ducks

Last year was fantastic for Sam Colangelo. He started off looking excellent with Western Michigan University and breezed through the AHL to play some fine minutes in the NHL. He’s not a complete player, but he’s a good enough scorer to keep an eye on.

Nikita Chibrikov – Right Wing – Winnipeg Jets

Nikita is a bit of a mystery. He came from nowhere to have a fantastic season in the AHL last year. He has excellent speed. But with his lack of size and pedigree, he is probably not a star. But he has our attention.

Gage Goncalves – Forward – Tampa Bay Lightning

23-year-old prospects picked low in the draft don’t usually do so well. But Gage has way too many points in the WHL and AHL to be ignored.

Tier 3 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns Guide

Landon Slaggert – Left Wing – Chicago Blackhawks

Matt Villalta – Goalie – Arizona Coyotes

Maxwell Crozier – Defenseman – Tampa Bay Lightning

James Malatesta – Left Wing – Columbus Blue Jackets

Collin Graf – Right Wing – San Jose Sharks

Graeme Clarke – Right Wing – New Jersey Devils

Pierrick Dube – Right Wing – Washington Capitals

Yan Kuznetsov – Defense – Calgary Flames

Emil Lilleberg – Defense – Tampa Bay Lightning

Marat Khusnutdinov – Center – Minnesota Wild

Lukas Cormier – Defense – Vegas Golden Knights

Tier 4 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns Guide

Kyle MacLean – Center – New York Islanders

Mason Morelli – Center – Vegas Golden Knights

Jason Polin – Right Wing – Colorado Avalanche

Ivan Fedotov – Goalie – Philadelphia Flyers

Justin Brazeau – Forward – Boston Bruins

Ruslan Iskhakov – Forward – New York Islanders

Jack St. Ivany – Defense – Pittsburgh Penguins

Marshall Rifai – Defense – Toronto Maple Leafs

Cameron Crotty – Defense – Arizona Coyotes

Akil Thomas – Defense – Los Angeles Kings

Final word on the 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns

Look, we already told you there was no Connor Bedard in this group. We don’t have any surefire stars. But there is an enviable amount of depth with a remarkably large first tier of talent available. The two marquee names here, Cutter Gauthier and Logan Stankoven are certainly worthy of the name. But anyone from the first tier, and most in the second tier are worth keeping.

2024-25 Upper Deck 1 Series 1 Hockey Young Guns parallels

Parallels:

• Outburst Silver – (1:60 hobby, 1:60 e-Pack, 1:180 blaster, 1:180 starter, 1:180 tin, 1:180 hanger)
• Clear Cut – (1:144 hobby)
• Deluxe – /250 (hobby and e-Pack only)
• Exclusives – /100 (hobby and e-Pack only)
• Outburst Red – /25 (hobby and e-Pack only)
• High Gloss – /10 (hobby and e-Pack only)
• Outburst Gold – 1/1 (hobby and e-Pack only)

2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey Young Guns Checklist

201 Zachary Bolduc, St. Louis Blues
202 Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
203 Landon Slaggert, Chicago Blackhawks
204 Kyle MacLean, New York Islanders
205 Mason Morelli, Vegas Golden Knights
206 Brennan Othmann, New York Rangers
207 Gavin Brindley, Columbus Blue Jackets
208 Bradly Nadeau, Carolina Hurricanes
209 Zack Ostapchuk, Ottawa Senators
210 Jason Polin, Colorado Avalanche
211 Shakir Mukhamadullin, San Jose Sharks
212 Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks
213 Zach Dean, St. Louis Blues
214 Luca Del Bel Belluz, Columbus Blue Jackets
215 Mavrik Bourque, Dallas Stars
216 Matt Rempe, New York Rangers
217 Matt Villalta, Arizona Coyotes
218 Maxwell Crozier, Tampa Bay Lightning
219 James Malatesta, Columbus Blue Jackets
220 Ivan Fedotov, Philadelphia Flyers
221 Ethan Del Mastro, Chicago Blackhawks
222 Justin Brazeau, Boston Bruins
223 Collin Graf, San Jose Sharks
224 Graeme Clarke, New Jersey Devils
225 Scott Morrow, Carolina Hurricanes
226 Brendan Brisson, Vegas Golden Knights
227 Frank Nazar, Chicago Blackhawks
228 Brad Lambert, Winnipeg Jets
229 Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens
230 Pierrick Dube, Washington Capitals
231 Arshdeep Bains, Vancouver Canucks
232 Ruslan Iskhakov, New York Islanders
233 Josh Doan, Arizona Coyotes
234 Jack St. Ivany, Pittsburgh Penguins
235 Yan Kuznetsov, Calgary Flames
236 Olen Zellweger, Anaheim Ducks
237 Marshall Rifai, Toronto Maple Leafs
238 Cameron Crotty, Arizona Coyotes
239 Logan Mailloux, Montreal Canadiens
240 Sam Colangelo, Anaheim Ducks
241 Emil Lilleberg, Tampa Bay Lightning
242 Akil Thomas, Los Angeles Kings
243 Marat Khusnutdinov, Minnesota Wild
244 Logan Stankoven, Dallas Stars
245 Nikita Chibrikov, Winnipeg Jets
246 Joshua Roy, Montreal Canadiens
247 Gage Goncalves, Tampa Bay Lightning
248 Liam Ohgren, Minnesota Wild
249 Lukas Cormier, Vegas Golden Knights
250 Cutter Gauthier / Logan Stankoven, Anaheim Ducks / Dallas Stars – Checklist