Collectors looking to score with Connor McDavid card

EDMONTON – It’s National Hockey Card Day in Canada.

For most folks that means gathering at the local hockey arena or around the TV to support their favorite team.

In Edmonton, it means the annual pilgrimage to Wayne’s Sports Cards & Collectibles. This year, dozens of fans lined-up early in the morning hoping to score a Connor McDavid hockey card.

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“This is much bigger because it’s Connor McDavid, in the city of Edmonton,” said Wayne Wagner, the store owner.

“You want to own that next generational hockey player that can change the face of the way the game is played.” he added. “When it goes to hockey cards it’s no different, you want memorabilia, you want to have the cards, it creates that interest, it creates that buzz and for anybody who’s never collected it’s a perfect jumping-on point.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You want to own that next generational hockey player that can change the face of the way the game is played." he added. "When it goes to hockey cards it's no different, you want memorabilia, you want to have the cards, it creates that interest, it creates that buzz and for anybody who's never collected it's a perfect jumping-on point."

Wagner said it’s been about 10 years since he’s seen lineups this long.

“The last time we saw this was in 2005-2006 with Sidney Crosby and it created the same type of fever,” he said. “Everybody wants to own the card it doesn’t matter if you’re in Pittsburgh or Edmonton.”

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Fans agreed, lining up early hoping to get their hands on that special card.

“We’re in Edmonton you know who were looking for, we’re going for Connor,” said Alex Coenen, who was in line by 10 a.m. “It’s Hockey Day in Canada, there’s some good stuff getting released today, some good sales and opportunities to get some stuff you wouldn’t normally be able to get”

“We’re trying to find something valuable in the (card) packs,” said Sean Leonard, who was in line with his sons. “You don’t get these lines over regular hockey players, generational players bring these kind of lineups”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're trying to find something valuable in the (card) packs," said Sean Leonard, who was in line with his sons. "You don't get these lines over regular hockey players, generational players bring these kind of lineups"

Everyone who walked through the door got a pack of cards for free and those who made a purchase received a bonus Connor McDavid card.

“It’s a way to celebrate trading cards and were giving away these cards for free, it’s a way for people to start collecting,” said Wagner.