10 CAREER DEFINING

P.K. SUBBAN CARDS

2005-06 Belleville Bulls #6

Though he tallied just 12 points in 52 games as a rookie in the Ontario Hockey League, Subban’s fully developed personality and fearless play made him an instant sensation with Barrie’s fans. The brash defender used his elite skating to take full advantage of the Olympicsized ice sheet at Belleville’s Yardmen Arena, creating highlight-worthy plays on a nightly basis. Four years later he graduated as Belleville’s all-time leading point producer among defensemen with 190 over 234 regular season games. His first card appeared in the 2005-06 Bulls team set, a tough regional set with a print run of around 500 copies.

2007-08 Belleville Bulls Signature Album #16

Not long after the Habs selected him in the second round (43rd overall) in 2017, Subban’s first autograph card hit the market. Many of his most dedicated collectors are chasing it still. It was available only as part of a complete 24-card team set that was limited to just 225 copies, and issued in a specially designed binder with the set’s serial number on the front. The card features a bold design that was highlighted by a large signing space on the white stick tape. Subban’s auto includes his (then) number 6, giving it another unique touch.

2009-10 Canadiens Postcards

P.K. made his NHL debut on Feb. 12, 2009, picking up an assist in Philadelphia, but it wasn’t until the playoffs that season that he secured a permanent role on Montreal’s blueline. Subban posted eight points in 14 games, becoming an overnight sensation in the hockey-mad city. His first NHL collectibles were issued as part of the team’s annual postcard set. There are two versions to track down. The first, issued early in the season, features only the player’s name and number in the upper right to detract from the border-to-border photo. The second, sometimes known as “La Coupe Stanley” variation, also has the 2010 playoff logo with French text in the bottom right and is much tougher to find.

2010-11 Upper Deck Ice #103

That impressive playoff run had collectors lining up for P.K.’s RCs right from the hop, sending his cards into a long-term residency on the Hot List. He fueled that excitement with his dazzling play on the ice, where he put up 14 goals and 38 points on the way to an All-Rookie Team berth, as well as the first signs of that colorful personality. Near year’s end, Subban earned RPAs in both The Cup and Dominion but neither of those boast particularly strong designs. That opens the door for this acetate-based offering out of 99 to stand as the most appealing choice of his 23 unique RCs

2012-13 O-Pee-Chee Pop Ups #PU29

One year after finishing last in the Eastern Conference, the Habs won the Northeast Division. Key to that stunning turnaround was Subban’s emergence as a bonafide No. 1 defenseman. In just his third season, Subban posted 38 points in just 42 games – tying Kris Letang for tops in the league – and with his improved play in his own zone he went on to edge Ryan Suter for the 2013 Norris Trophy. It’s a testament to his character that when he was revealed as the winner during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, he brought his minor hockey coach with him to celebrate. This card doesn’t recognize the award, but it is a fantastic design that juxtaposes the history of the game with P.K.’s flair for the modern.

2013-14 Absolute Cracked Ice #8

Subban put up better numbers and received more accolades the following season but this one will always be remembered as one of his most special. At 24, he was at the height of his popularity in Montreal and across the country as he helped Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. It was his fourth time wearing the red maple leaf, and his third gold. The confidence he gained in Russia carried over to the second half of the NHL season. Subban posted five goals and 14 points in 17 games as the Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. This single, limited to just 10 copies, features one of the boldest and most unique designs of his cardboard career.

2016-17 Upper Deck Exclusives #450

June 29, 2016, is remembered as a day of seismic change in the NHL when two superstar-centered trades were finalized in a span of 20 minutes that shook the fortunes of four teams. Subban was swapped to Nashville in a one-for-one deal that sent Shea Weber to Montreal. It was a stunning blow for a player who grew up worshipping the Canadiens, but the 27-year-old quickly adapted to life in Music City. He found his comfort zone alongside Mattias Ekholm on a team that snuck into the playoffs, but gelled at the right time and made a stunning run to the Final before bowing in six to the Penguins. This single, limited to 100 copies, might be the best representation of that fateful day.

2017-18 Upper Deck Premier Mega Patch Chest Logos #PMPPS

Subban’s second season in Nashville proved to be one of the best of his career. The 28-year-old scored a career-high 16 goals, and his 59 points were one off his personal best. He also took the only three draws of his career, winning one.

For his efforts (not in the faceoff circle), he was honored as a member of the

NHL’s Second All-Star Team and finished as a finalist for the Norris Trophy for a third and final time. This single perfectly commemorates both P.K. and his outsized personality. Mega Patches have been massively popular since being introduced in 2014-15, and the Preds logo lends itself to some spectacular cuts.

2019-20 Upper Deck Credentials Colorful Characters #CC1

There always have been stylish players in the NHL, from Turk Broda – who can forget the epic 1939-40 V301-1 O-Pee-Chee #2 showing the Leafs netminder resplendent in a white linen suit? – to Derek Sanderson to Henrik Lundqvist. But it can be argued that no player has had more fun – or gotten into more trouble because of – his fashion sense than Subban. His self-expression reportedly ran afoul of a few teammates in Montreal, but it helped define P.K. as a true iconoclast, a player who would eschew hockey’s traditionally bland culture to live as his true self. This single was part of an unannounced insert in Credentials and captures Subban rocking a Western vibe he first displayed in Nashville.

2021-22 Topps Now #522

The King Clancy Trophy doesn’t generate the hobby buzz as do some others, but it might be the one that perfectly sums up Subban’s philosophy. The Clancy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Subban had been a finalist for the award four times, including each of his three seasons with New Jersey before finally winning it in 2022 for his efforts in the areas of social equity and change. This single, from the Topps Now sticker collection, is likely the first of several to honor this achievement and a fine way to wrap up his remarkable career.