The 2016-17 NHL® Rookie Class has already proved they are set to be the future of the hockey as many are challenging veterans for league leading statistics. Patrik Laine (pronounced Line-Ay) of the Winnipeg Jets is one of the brightest stars in the class who is bringing hope to “The Peg.” The fact that he plays in one of the most passionate hockey markets in Winnipeg only strengthens the demand for his rookie cards and collectibles. It’s not every day a rookie comes in to challenge for the league lead in scoring, but that is exactly what Laine has done currently sitting right behind the great Sidney Crosby.
Here are some of the reasons you’ll want to pay attention to this “Young Gun” with the Jets:
- Laine has a strong international following especially in his home of Finland. Fans in Winnipeg have found memories of a young “Fin” who scored like Laine as he feels a bit like a blonde version of “The Finnish Flash” himself; Teemu Selanne.
- Winnipeg collectors and fans are VERY passionate about their team. As a standout rookie with the Jets, you’ll have a lot of interest in any Laine card you pull with the collecting community.
- He is only 18-years-old, but at 6’5” and 210 pounds, Laine’s size makes him NHL® ready.
- Not many rookies were called to play in the World Cup of Hockey, but Laine was and he was the main attraction for Finland during the tournament.
Patrik Laine was actually featured in Upper Deck’s World Cup of Hockey promotional set earlier this year.
- He is becoming the foundation of a very strong young team that boasts other young stars like Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, Connor Hellebucyk, Nikolaj Ehlers, Nic Petan and Andrew Coop.
- On October 19, 2016, Laine recorded his first hat-trick in the NHL. What makes this truly special is that the he helped bring the Jets back against a 4-1 deficit and he had the game-winner in overtime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkZSiAk4_Y
- Not even a month later, Laine did it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpq0ecc2QEg
- When he scored his third hat trick on the season, it put Laine in the NHL record books as the only player to have three hat tricks before his 19th birthday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yokh4rrQBKw
- In terms of cards, Laine has a variety of rookie cards out there for a variety of budgets, but most fans are waiting with great anticipation for his “Young Guns” rookie card which will release in 2016-17 NHL® Upper Deck Series Two in February.
- And Laine does stuff like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1p-GVqOox0
Here are just some of the cards you’ll want to be on the lookout for from Patrik Laine out now from least expensive to most expensive.
The Parkhurst product is available at retail and is fairly inexpensive.
There are limited-edition insert cards available in the Parkhurst packs of Laine.
This promotional card of Laine was available only in the Winnipeg market around the Heritage Classic earlier this season.
There were rookie exchange cards in 2016-17 NHL Artifacts as the products came out before the start of the season..
Laine’s Young Guns card will debut in 2016-17 NHL Upper Deck Series Two, but he has a canvas version in Series One that is in the market now.
Trilogy recently released and has a variety of compelling Laine content.
Black Diamond is a higher-end product that has a variety of premium content for Laine, especially autograph cards.
This card brings the bling with diamonds embedded in the card.
Exquisite Collection cards of Laine will be the most premium cards of this Finnish star out this season.
