NHL Draft 2026

FEATURE CONTENT & WHAT TO KNOW

2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft

The path to hockey history takes center stage on June 26–27 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, for the highly anticipated 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. This isn’t just an event where franchises reshape their futures; it is the definitive moment where a prospect’s lifelong dream transforms into a reality. From the intense drama of the first round to the late-stage hidden gems, the 2026 draft class is packed with elite, world-class talent ready to leave their mark on the game and impact the collectibles industry.

For hockey fans and card collectors alike, the draft represents the official beginning of a new era. It’s the starting line for a brand-new generation of rookie cards, autographs, and physical memorabilia. This year, all eyes are on generational prospects like dynamic playmaker Gavin McKenna and international standout Ivar Stenberg as they prepare to hear their names called and take their place in hockey history.

Young Guns®

Where first picks become first cards. The most iconic card in hockey.

Upper Deck SP Authentic Launch & Draft Party

Celebrate with us in Buffalo!

A Look Back

Upper Deck NHL Drafts Over the Years

ON-SITE SCHEDULE

Draft Week Events

JUN

24 Upper Deck SP Authentic Launch & Draft Party

Dave and Adam’s — Buffalo, NY

More Info

5:00 PM – Doors Open

5:30 PM – Raffles Begin

What to expect at the event:

– Gift bags on arrival
– Free kids’ packs
– Box breaks all night
– Raffles every 5 minutes
– Everyone in attendance will receive a $25 voucher for UD product

8 PM – Event Ends

JUN

26 Upper Deck NHL Draft: Day 1, Round 1

KeyBank Center — Buafflo, NY

More Info

5:00 PM – Doors Open

What to look forward to inside:

– Live Box Breaks with eBay and We The Hobby
– Personalized Trading Cards at the Upper Deck Booth
– Purchase Upper Deck Trading Cards on Site
– Hockey Hall of Fame Walk Through

JUN

27 Upper Deck NHL Draft: Day 2, Rounds 2-7

KeyBank Center — Buafflo, NY

More Info

9:00 AM – Doors Open

What to look forward to at the Upper Deck Booth:

– Athlete Appearance
– Live Box Breaks with eBay and We The Hobby
– Personalized Trading Cards at the Upper Deck Booth
– Purchase Upper Deck Trading Cards on Site
– Hockey Hall of Fame Walk Through

FREE TOP PROSPECTS DIGITAL TRADING CARD SET

2026 Exclusive NHL Draft e-Pack Set

SET WILL GO LIVE ON 6/15 @ 9AM PST

Collect and trade exclusive digital trading cards on UpperDeckEpack.com for this year’s top draft picks. Redeem your pack (6 randomly selected cards across both variations) and trade to finish the set for a chance for an exclusive physical pending redemption card.

Gavin McKenna

McKenna shined at the 2026 World Junior Championship, amassing 14 points (4-10–14) in seven games to help Canada earn bronze. As a freshman at Penn State University in 2025-26, he compiled a conference-leading 51 points (15-36–51) in 35 games.

Ethan Belchetz

Belchetzʼs second season in the OHL in 2025-26 was an impressive one, as the winger scored 34 goals and dished out 25 assists to compile 59 points in 57 games with the Windsor Spitfires. He scored 10 power-play goals and finished the campaign with a plus-19 rating.

Carson Carels

Playing for the WHLʼs Prince George Cougars in 2025-26, defenceman Carels racked up 73 points in 58 games by scoring 20 goals and delivering a team-leading 53 assists. He was a finalist for the award that recognizes the leagueʼs top blueliner of the year.

Caleb Malhotra

Malhotra thrived as a rookie in the OHL in 2025-26, compiling 84 points (29-55–84) in 67 games with Brantford. On May 4, the speedy center was named the OHL Rookie of the Week and OHL Player of the Week after he collected seven points (3-4–7) in three playoff games with the Bulldogs.

Chase Reid

Reid amassed 48 points in 45 games with the OHLʼs Soo Greyhounds in 2025-26 and was voted Best Offensive Defenceman in the Western Conference. He represented the United States at the 2026 World Junior Championship and had two goals and two assists in five games.

Keaton Veroeff

An imposing two-way defenceman, Verhoeff logged four assists in five games for Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship. Skating for the University of North Dakota as a freshman in 2025-26, he scored six goals and had 14 assists, helping the Fighting Hawks reach the Frozen Four.

FEATURED YOUNG GUNS®

Where First Picks Become First Cards

Since 1990, Upper Deck’s Young Guns has stood as the definitive frontier of hockey collecting—the ultimate rite of passage where a prospect’s promise is permanently captured in physical form. For over three decades, this iconic designation hasn’t just tracked the history of the NHL; it has helped write it. It is a generational bridge of greatness, marking the exact moment the game’s future arrives, transforming highly touted prodigies into timeless legends.

That legacy is uniquely defined by the rare fraternity of the #1 overall draft pick. When the lights of the draft stage fade, the real story begins in the packs. The connection between the first selection and their first Young Guns card is a sacred timeline in hockey culture. We saw it when Marc-André Fleury solidified his crease, when Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid ignited a new era of speed and dominance, and when Jack Hughes ushered in a fresh wave of dynamic skill. Each of their Young Guns cards became a monument to a franchise-altering moment, a trusted stamp of legitimacy that collectors cherished from day one.

The story continues to unfold in real-time. The explosive debut of Connor Bedard, the highly anticipated arrival of Macklin Celebrini, and the thrilling emergence of Matthew Schaefer are the latest chapters immortalized across Series 1, Series 2, and Extended Series. Every pack serves as the birthplace of a legend’s collectible legacy, ensuring that the moments defining a generation are preserved forever. As the 2026 NHL Draft approaches, the tradition carries on. This is where history is written, where icons are minted, and where first picks become first cards.