Alex Lyon's True Rookie Card: Why the 2017-18 Upper Deck Compendium #897 Deserves More Attention
When hockey card collectors talk about Alex Lyon, one question comes up repeatedly: Does he have a true rookie card? The answer is yes. While Lyon never received a traditional Young Guns card, his recognized rookie issue is the 2017-18 Upper Deck Compendium #897. For collectors who focus on rookie cards rather than just Young Guns, this card represents the first official NHL rookie card of one of the league's most resilient goaltenders.
The Upper Deck Compendium release was unlike any other product of its era. Introduced as an e-Pack exclusive, the massive 900-card checklist featured veteran stars, rookies, and prospects spread across three series. Physical Blue, Gold, and Printing Plate parallels could be earned through the e-Pack platform, making the product a unique blend of digital collecting and traditional hobby cards. Although it never received the same attention as flagship Upper Deck releases, Compendium quietly introduced rookie cards for several players who were overlooked elsewhere.
Alex Lyon's card has become especially interesting in recent years as his NHL career has continued to grow. With no Young Guns to chase, collectors searching for his first official rookie card inevitably arrive at Compendium #897. As more hobbyists discover this fact, interest in the card has steadily increased, particularly among goalie collectors who appreciate players with unconventional paths to the NHL.
With Lyon’s recent success, his cards have jumped in value. I bought the Bullet 2 years ago and picked this up for about $60 CAD RAW; now they go for about $140 CAD RAW. If Lyon gets a cup at some point, expect these to go for about $250 RAW, given a whole bunch of Cup Winner chasers will join the hunt.
Whether you're researching rookie cards, identifying rare variations, or learning the history behind overlooked sets like Upper Deck Compendium, Goalie Archive is dedicated to preserving the stories that make goalie card collecting unique. Alex Lyon's rookie card is a perfect example that sometimes the hobby's hidden gems aren't found in the most popular products—they're waiting to be discovered by collectors willing to look a little deeper.
