Growing up in Sweden, Victor Hedman was a big fan of countryman Peter Forsberg. How big, you might ask? Big enough that the young Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman says he owns 201 different hockey cards featuring Forsberg's image.
Soon enough, Hedman can start collecting cards with his own face on them, if he wants.
Ask any up-and-coming NHL'er about his biggest moments in hockey, and chances are that being drafted and putting on his team jersey for the first time would be near the top of the list. But let's not kid ourselves - there isn't a hockey-playing youngster out there who hasn't at least given a passing fantasy thought to having his own hockey card. And for a select few, it's about to happen.
On Wednesday, the first step to that fantasy becoming reality took place in Mississauga, Ontario, where 14 of the NHL's top picks and prospects participated in a photo shoot for Upper Deck trading cards. The company plans on using the images in their upcoming sets for the 2009-10 season.
"When I was young I was always collecting cards, so it feels unreal to actually be on a card," said Hedman. "To meet a lot of the guys was great. It's like a dream. Becoming an NHL player is big, and this comes with it."
The first overall pick from June's draft, John Tavares, modeled his New York Islanders colours and listed the thrills that he is enjoying to kick off his much-anticipated pro career.
"There are many big moments in becoming an NHL hockey player - being drafted, signing your first contract, and having your first training camp. Having your first rookie card is another special thing when you're a part of the NHL," said Tavares.
For Matt Duchene, who was drafted by Colorado and grew up in Haliburton, Ontario as an Avalanche fan, there is even more irony to achieving card status.
"It's going to be very neat. I collected cards from Joe Sakic, Forsberg, all the Avs guys. Paul Kariya is another guy I collected a lot of," said Duchene, who played last season with the Brampton Battalion. "Obviously you're honoured to be a part of this. Having your first NHL card just comes along with the rest of the dream."
Goalie Jonas Gustavsson, who signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs, wore his blue and white colours and looked back at his childhood heroes as well.
"I have the rookie card from Forsberg, and a couple of cards from Patrick Roy who was my idol when I was younger. I've got like two or three thousand cards, and I tried to get some autographs and stuff like that. It's fun to be here as a player," said Gustavsson.
Montreal Canadiens draft pick PK Subban was asked to place a future value on his upcoming rookie card. After thinking for a second, he answered,
"Hopefully it's worth millions of dollars, because that would mean I had a great career in the NHL. That's what I'm hoping for and hopefully it starts next year," said Subban.
The young stars, which included Vancouver's Cody Hodgson, Calgary's Mikael Backlund, Ottawa's Jared Cowan, and Toronto's Tyler Bozak, had a chance to get acquainted during the shoot. But they will be competing against one another soon enough.
"Usually I played against them (at World Juniors), so it feels nice to get to meet all the guys," said Hedman. "I'll probably be playing against them this season as well, but right now we're all friends."
- with files from TSN Reporter Katherine Dolan