For ardent fans of hockey and memorabilia collectors itching for new additions, Topps is creating a chilly stir in an unexpected move that nods to the past but strikes a modern chord. After a 20-year sabbatical from the ice rink of NHL-licensed trading cards, Topps is making a subtle re-entry into the hockey memorabilia arena. However, put away your wax pack openers and prepare for a somewhat unconventional collectible experience.

While Topps hasn’t produced its beloved NHL trading cards since the 2003-04 season—a year marking Upper Deck’s monopoly on the exclusive league trading card license—the dream for another cardboard renaissance flickers anew. Or, more accurately, takes form with a unique twist. In a strategic play by Fanatics, which now owns Topps, comes the thrill-packed launch of Topps Under Wraps: Emanate 2024-25. Yet, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill trading card revival; it’s an artistic reinvention.

Set to release on April 3, this isn’t a standard card box. Instead, bold new horizons await collectors with Emanate—each box unveiling an 8×10 autographed photo crafted to echo the larger-than-life charm of an oversized trading card. With artwork that mirrors the quintessential card front and back, complete with player statistics and action shots, these prints turn nostalgia into present relevance.

Longtime collector and knowledgeable dealer, Sal Barry, commented insightfully in his PuckJunk.com newsletter: “These even have photos and information on the back,” confirming the complex design details enriching these collectibles. Unlike the commonplace sticker-autographed items, each Emanate photograph is individually signed with a flourish, serial-numbered, and hologrammed, carrying the weight of authenticity and allure.

With six color variants available—Gold (#/50), Orange (#/25), Blue (#/10), Red (#/5), and the enviable Iridescent (1/1)—collectors can explore a veritable treasure trove of hockey brilliance. The 70-player checklist spans across all 32 NHL teams, boasting an assembly of stars that could easily make any fan’s heart skip a slap shot. Fans of both modern marvels and legendary greats are in for a treat, with appearances by rising guns like Connor Bedard and tried-and-tested titans such as Alexander Ovechkin and Mark Messier painting a vivid tableau of talent past and present.

And if the promise of singular stars isn’t enough to evoke collector desire, then the secretive inclusion of rare multi-signed editions might stoke the fire. The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the 1/1 triple-signed and inscribed delight featuring the dynamic triumvirate of Ovechkin, Bedard, and Matthews, a holy grail for enthusiasts.

In each visually captivating box, await one exclusive photo, retailing at $130—a price tag that secures ownership of a piece of memorabilia embodying equal parts vintage allure and cutting-edge innovation.

So, we pose the puck-drop question: is Topps redefining its place in hockey, dusting off its cards? Well, not tangibly—not in the pack-ripping, rookie-chasing sense we’re nostalgically fond of. But through Emanate, Topps is certainly flirting with the rink again, testing the ice under Fanatics’ auspices that harness much of the hobby’s licensing heat.

Though the return might be icy and fraught with expectant murmurs, the presence of Topps is worth noting—more a hopeful glide towards a future where cards could once again skate through our gloved fingers. Perhaps the revival in oversized photos is a test, a precursor to a brick-and-mortar trading card renaissance. Keep your collectors’ energies harnessed—it’s a teaser for fanatics both in name and nature.

In the ever-evolving game of sports collectibles, adaptability drives relevance, and nostalgia binds us with emotive relevance. Topps’ fresh-out-the-pack approach to Emanate engages both principles, standing as a nostalgic nod and innovative leap onto the metaphorical ice. As we gather our hockey sticks and card sleeves, the excitement lies in watching this history-rich brand evolve.

Topps Emanate