Wayne Gretzky Named Upper Deck Legacy Partner as Limited 250-Box Master Collection Returns
Wayne Gretzky is becoming only the second athlete to receive Upper Deck’s Legacy Partner designation, joining Michael Jordan as the company expands its longtime exclusive relationship with the hockey legend and launches a new group of high-end Gretzky collectibles. The expanded agreement gives Upper Deck exclusive rights to produce premium autographed collectibles featuring Gretzky’s authenticated signature and likeness, including trading cards and memorabilia. Upper Deck is marking the announcement with the return of the Wayne Gretzky Master Collection for the first time in 25 years, a new Upper Deck Authenticated memorabilia line and a tribute to Gretzky’s late father, Walter Gretzky, at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The new Upper Deck Master Collection – Wayne Gretzky is limited to just 250 boxes and will be sold exclusively through UpperDeckStore.com. The checklist is designed to cover Gretzky’s career from his appearance at the World Junior Championship through his NHL achievements, Hockey Hall of Fame induction and the league-wide retirement of his No. 99.
Upper Deck says the collection will include rare Gretzky autograph, memorabilia and inscription cards, along with dual, triple and quadruple autograph and memorabilia cards. Relic booklets featuring legends from other sports will also be included, adding another crossover element to the high-end release. Three of the 250 boxes will receive an additional connection to Gretzky’s career milestones. Box No. 1/250 has been signed and inscribed by Gretzky to commemorate his 2,857 career points, Box No. 4/250 recognizes his four Stanley Cup championships and Box No. 9/250 celebrates his nine Hart Trophies.
The Master Collection is only one part of Upper Deck’s expanded Gretzky program. Upper Deck Authenticated is also releasing five new prints built around different stages of his career. The collection uses imagery that Upper Deck says has never previously appeared in UDA memorabilia, beginning with Gretzky’s time with the Indianapolis Racers and continuing through his NHL records and final game. Upper Deck says the Indianapolis Racers imagery marks the first time the team has been featured in Upper Deck Authenticated memorabilia. The five-print series is intended to tell Gretzky’s career story from its beginning through his retirement rather than focus on a single team or era.
The Legacy Partner announcement is also being used to honor Gretzky’s father, Walter. As part of Upper Deck’s agreement with the Hockey Hall of Fame, the facility’s Hockey Resource Centre has been renamed the Walter Gretzky Upper Deck Hockey Resource Centre. Upper Deck and the Hockey Hall of Fame have also created a small public display in the foyer outside the Hall of Fame entrance in Toronto. The exhibit includes a special one-of-one Upper Deck Authenticated piece signed and inscribed by Wayne Gretzky in honor of his father, along with artifacts from the Hockey Hall of Fame archives documenting Gretzky’s career. The exhibit is located in a non-ticketed area and will remain on display through November 22.
“My dad and my family mean everything to me, so the opportunity to honor him and showcase his impact to fans and collectors around the world is one that is close to my heart,” said Wayne Gretzky. “I’m honored to be named an Upper Deck Legacy Partner by a company that has become like a second family to me over the decades we’ve worked together, and I’m looking forward to expanding this relationship for years to come.”
“For decades, we’ve worked to capture the moments that defined Wayne Gretzky’s unparalleled career. His impact on the game of hockey is impossible to measure by records alone, so we’ve worked to create collectibles that tell the story of the mark he left on hockey,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “We’re honored to welcome Wayne as a Legacy Partner and celebrate the impact his family had on his life and career, as well as the impact Gretzky continues to have on hockey at all levels.”
Gretzky now joins Michael Jordan as the only two athletes identified by Upper Deck as Legacy Partners, placing two of the company’s longest-running athlete relationships under the same designation.