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 2017–18 Upper Deck Compendium #897.

The Upper Deck Compendium release was unlike any other hockey product of its era. Released through Upper Deck's e-Pack platform, the massive 900-card checklist featured NHL base cards and rookies spread across three series. Unlike traditional releases, collectors initially received only a digital version of the card.

To obtain a physical copy, collectors had to purchase digital Compendium packs through e-Pack, collect 10 copies of the exact same base card, and then use the Combine feature.

The ten digital cards were permanently consumed and replaced with one physical Blue Parallel, which could then be shipped to the collector. It was an innovative concept, but one that frustrated many traditional collectors who simply wanted to pull physical cards from packs.

Compendium never achieved the popularity of flagship Upper Deck products and was eventually discontinued. However, before disappearing, it quietly introduced rookie cards for several players who were overlooked elsewhere—including Alex Lyon.

2017 Alex Lyon Upper Deck Compendium Rookie Card

Today, Lyon's Compendium rookie has become one of the more fascinating modern goalie cards. Because he never received a Young Guns, collectors looking for his first official rookie card inevitably end up at 2017–18 Upper Deck Compendium #897. As more collectors have become aware of this, demand has steadily increased.

I bought my copy in 2022 for roughly $60 CAD raw. At the time, it felt expensive for a rookie card from a product many collectors ignored. Looking back, it turned out to be a good purchase. Recent sales have pushed raw copies to around $140 CAD, and if Lyon continues to establish himself—or someday backstops a Stanley Cup champion—I wouldn't be surprised to see raw examples climb into the $250 range as player collectors and Stanley Cup collectors begin competing for the few copies that exist.

Alex Lyon's rookie card is a reminder that some of the hobby's most interesting discoveries aren't found in the biggest products or the most heavily promoted releases. Sometimes they're hidden in overlooked sets that many collectors passed by, waiting for someone willing to dig a little deeper.