NUMBER TWO OVERALL NHL DRAFT PICK IVAR STENBERG JOINS UPPER DECK AS EXCLUSIVE ATHLETE
Carlsbad, CA (October 1, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is proud to announce the addition of Ivar Stenberg to its roster of exclusive athletes. The second overall selection of the San Jose Sharks in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, Upper Deck will be the exclusive producer of Stenberg’s trading cards and memorabilia, featuring his name, image, likeness, and autograph as he begins his career in the NHL.
“Ivar has already established himself as one of the most exciting young players in hockey. His accomplishments span from Sweden’s top professional league to being one of the leading scorers for his country at the 2026 World Junior Championship,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “He’s poised to have a promising and long career in the NHL, and we can’t wait to help fans connect with him through premium memorabilia and trading cards as he steps on the ice in the NHL.”
Stenberg has rapidly established himself as one of hockey’s most dynamic young players. Developing through one of Sweden’s top programs, he recorded 33 points in 43 games during the 2025-26 season, the third-highest mark by a draft-eligible player in Swedish Hockey League history. Internationally, Stenberg was a key player for Team Sweden at the 2026 World Junior Championship, helping lead the team to a gold medal and tying for the team lead in scoring, showcasing his ability to elevate his game against top global competition. With his combination of speed, vision, and playmaking capability, Stenberg continues to emerge as one of the most promising players to watch as he takes the next step in his hockey career in the NHL.
Ivar Stenberg’s first Upper Deck Authenticated collection is available now celebrating his selection second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. It features a signed draft day print, a signed 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft puck, and a signed San Jose Sharks puck. Stenberg’s trading cards will be available in Upper Deck products, including his highly anticipated rookie cards like Young Guns®, his rookie debut jersey cards as part of the Upper Deck Debut Game Jersey Program, and his first on-ice NHL trading card as part of Upper Deck’s ‘New Arrivals’ program on Upper Deck e-Pack®. To stay up to date on all of Stenberg’s upcoming Upper Deck trading cards and memorabilia, visit UpperDeck.com.
####
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids).
Upper Deck Media Contact:
Matt Burkey, matt@carvecomms.com
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. © 2026 NHL. All Rights Reserved.
The post NUMBER TWO OVERALL NHL DRAFT PICK IVAR STENBERG JOINS UPPER DECK AS EXCLUSIVE ATHLETE appeared first on Upper Deck.
Categories: Upperdeck Tags: Athlete, Deck, Draft, exclusive, IVAR, Joins, Number, OVERALL, Pick, STENBERG, Upper
UPPER DECK EXTENDS EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH MICHAEL JORDAN, NAMES HIM AS COMPANY’S FIRST LEGACY PARTNER
CARLSBAD, CA (July 8, 2026) – In 1992, Upper Deck launched an anonymous marketing campaign with a Chicago billboard that read “Trade Jordan,” rocking the sports world as basketball fans speculated about the absurd idea of a possible swap involving #23. The billboard was later replaced with imagery of Michael Jordan Upper Deck trading cards, boldly promoting the then-two-time NBA champion’s new licensing agreement with Upper Deck, making him the company’s first exclusive basketball spokesperson and granting Upper Deck exclusive rights to produce his authenticated, autographed collectibles.
Today, Upper Deck launched a campaign that is a nod to the initial ‘Trade Jordan’ rollout, but with the opposite message: “You Don’t Trade Greatness, You Keep it for a Lifetime,” announcing the expansion of the relationship and naming Michael Jordan as Upper Deck’s first Legacy Partner.
To commemorate this monumental milestone, Upper Deck has developed two unique programs:
(1) 23 factory-sealed packs from the coveted 1986-87 Fleer Basketball trading card set (where Michael Jordan’s iconic rookie card may be found) have been acquired through a buyback program, and each pack is autographed by Michael Jordan, with one pack featuring a 1-of-1 inscription “Rookie Pack,” then all inserted into a new trading card set—the 2026 Goodwin Champions.
(2) Upper Deck has collaborated with eBay to auction a one-of-a-kind full box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball that features Jordan’s exclusive autograph, and a similar inscription “Rookie Card Box,” connecting the two programs. Ten percent of the auction proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
“We are honored that Michael Jordan continues to choose Upper Deck as his partner. For more than three decades we’ve worked with Michael to fundamentally change the collectibles industry. We bring the most sought-after trading cards and memorabilia to fans around the world as the only pieces guaranteed to feature his authentic autograph,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck.
“I’m proud to be Upper Deck’s first Legacy Partner. For more than 30 years, this partnership has been about creating something different – cards and memorabilia collectors can’t find anywhere else. I’m looking forward to what comes next,” said Michael Jordan.
This historical partnership has shaped the sports memorabilia landscape since the original exclusive agreement between Upper Deck and Michael Jordan in 1991 and continues to evolve, including ever-growing commitment to combat counterfeit collectibles and to protect the authenticity of Michael Jordan’s autograph.
The campaign “You Don’t Trade Greatness, You Keep it for a Lifetime,” contains multiple unique meanings. Michael Jordan collectibles are about more than trading and selling; they are about creating connections, forming identities and sharing the passion of these collectibles with generations to come. It also reflects the historical data that Michael Jordan collectibles have become more and more treasured because of Upper Deck’s commitment to protecting the exclusivity and authenticity, innovation and high-quality standards in its exclusive Michael Jordan products.
To learn more, please visit UpperDeck.com.
###
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck,/UpperDeckEnt), Instagram (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), and YouTube (UDvids).
Media Contact:
Nicole Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com
The post UPPER DECK EXTENDS EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH MICHAEL JORDAN, NAMES HIM AS COMPANY’S FIRST LEGACY PARTNER appeared first on Upper Deck.
Categories: Upperdeck Tags: Company’s, Deck, exclusive, EXTENDS, First, Jordan, Legacy, Michael, names, Partner, RELATIONSHIP, Upper
UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPH TRADING CARD DEAL WITH 2026 NHL FIRST OVERALL PICK GAVIN MCKENNA
Carlsbad, CA (June 26, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is proud to welcome Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, to its roster. As part of the deal, Upper Deck will be the sole producer of McKenna’s NHL autographed trading cards – holding the rights to use McKenna’s name, image, likeness, and autograph on Upper Deck trading cards, including popular brands like the Upper Deck Flagship Series, SP Authentic, and O-Pee-Chee-Platinum.
At 18 years old, Gavin McKenna has already announced his arrival to the NHL even before stepping on the ice for the first time. In the 2025-26 season, the Penn State forward registered an exceptional 51 points, 15 goals, and 36 assists in 35 games. His standout freshman season earned him Big Ten Scoring Champion and Freshman of the Year honors, as well as a spot among finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Along the way, McKenna set a new Penn State single-season record for assists and became the first player in program history to lead the conference in scoring. McKenna also recorded 14 points in seven games at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Known for his creativity and offensive playmaking, he continues to captivate fans as he makes the jump to the professional level.
“Gavin McKenna is already setting a new standard with his record-breaking performance at Penn State. As a prospect, his combination of hustle and creativity truly sets him apart,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “We’re excited to welcome him to the Upper Deck roster, and can’t wait to capture and commemorate the moments that will define his career for collectors and fans around the world.”
Gavin McKenna trading cards will be available in Upper Deck flagship products, including his highly anticipated rookie cards like Young Guns®, Future Watch, and more during the 2026-27 NHL season at Certified Diamond Dealers worldwide as well as mass retailers. McKenna’s exclusive cards will also be available on Upper Deck e-Pack®, including his first NHL trading card as part of Upper Deck’s new ‘First Round Draft Cards’ program, which commemorates in real time the moment players are drafted. Players’ photos will be taken on stage as they hear their name called, and turned into a trading card that will be available on UpperDeckEPack.com shortly after they’re drafted. To stay up to date on all of McKenna’s upcoming Upper Deck trading cards, visit UpperDeck.com.
###
About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids).
Upper Deck Media Contact:
Matt Burkey, matt@carvecomms.com
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. © 2026 NHL. All Rights Reserved.
The post UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPH TRADING CARD DEAL WITH 2026 NHL FIRST OVERALL PICK GAVIN MCKENNA appeared first on Upper Deck.