In the often surprising world of sports memorabilia, a name as iconic as Topps flirting with a return to hockey is enough to stir ripples of excitement among collectors. While it’s not a return to the well-trodden territory of classic trading cards, Topps is venturing into a new hybrid of sorts, with the upcoming launch of Emanate 2024-25. This venture comes after a long hiatus where Upper Deck controlled the ice, having secured exclusive NHL trading card rights back in the 2003-04 season.
From the embers of nostalgia, Topps, now under the banner of sports enterprise giant Fanatics, is reigniting its celebrated association with hockey, albeit with an innovative twist. Launching on April 3, Topps’ latest offering, aptly named Emanate, isn’t a trading card product in the traditional sense. Instead, it combines the allure of trading cards with a gallery-worthy flair, packaging the magic of hockey moments and player personas into 8×10 autographed photos.
These aren’t just mere photos; they’re oversized recreations designed to echo the aesthetics of vintage trading cards. With meticulous front and back artwork, each photo is crafted to evoke that warm, familiar nostalgia associated with opening a fresh pack of Topps trading cards. The inclusion of player photos and stats on the back serves as a nod to the traditional format. Sal Barry, a seasoned collector and dealer, aptly captures this sentiment by highlighting the alluring collectible nature of the release in his PuckJunk.com newsletter.
The craftsmanship of each Emanate photo takes center stage with the details that make each piece unique. Every photo is hand-signed—no stick-on surprise here—etched with serial numbers, and enhanced with holographic authentication. Appropriate for such a premium product, Topps fits each photo in a magnetic, ready-to-display folio case, allowing collectors to showcase these treasures without fear of damage.
But what’s a collectible without an element of chase? Topps understands that allure too well. The Emanate series features six distinct color variants: Gold (#/50), Orange (#/25), Blue (#/10), Red (#/5), down to the ultra-rare Iridescent (1/1). Collectors eager to diversify their collections or zero in on those elusive rarities have plenty to look forward to.
It’s not just about the format; it’s also about heroes immortalized in print. The Emanate series boasts an impressive lineup of over 70 players spanning the entirety of the NHL’s 32 teams. From contemporary legends and mischief-makers like Connor Bedard and Auston Matthews to icons of yore such as Alexander Ovechkin and Mark Messier, the series promises to capture the essence of hockey across time. Especially noteworthy are the multi-signed editions that stack star power—such as the unique 1/1 print featuring the autographs of Ovechkin, Bedard, and Matthews together, a veritable trifecta of hockey royalty.
All of this collectible luxury comes at a retail price of $130 per box, which includes one autographed photo. At this price point, it’s decidedly a product aimed at dedicated collectors who appreciate the fusion of history, artistry, and rarity in their sports memorabilia.
So, what do we make of Topps’ strategic toe-dip back into hockey waters? While Emanate isn’t the trading card launch die-hard fans might have anticipated, it represents a creative re-engagement with the sport. Topps, with the vast reach and resources of Fanatics behind it, seems to be signaling to the hobby community that it’s once more a player in the game, albeit playing by its own new rules. This move hints at potential future ventures that might delve deeper into the familiar lands of pack ripping and rookie chasing—dreams held by card collectors worldwide.
Topps’ venture, Emanate, stands as a testament to how classic brands can adapt and reinterpret tradition to stay relevant. It encapsulates the blend of art and sport, offering fans tangible pieces of their favorite hockey narratives. Whether the stage is now set for an official trading card return remains to be seen, but even this glimmer suggests that the world of hockey collectibles is continually evolving—and Topps is here to skate alongside.