He won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2020 but Alexis Lafrenière now has an endorsement and autograph contract with Upper Deck.
Believed to have the skill to become the league’s next young superstar, Lafrenière signed a multi-year agreement with Upper Deck, giving the company exclusive rights to his autographs. At 17, he’s the youngest athlete Upper Deck has ever signed to an endorsement deal.
Lafrenière was selected first overall by Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2017, where he went on to win the QMJHL & CHL Rookie of the Year award with 42 goals before being named to the QMJHL First All-Star team. The 42 goals were the most by a rookie since Sidney Crosby in 2004.
At 16, Lafrenière was the youngest player selected for Team Canada’s 2018 IIHF World U18 Championship team. He has represented Canada at multiple events, including the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Lafrenière will likely be the top pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
“Alexis is a gifted, hardworking player who has the skill set and maturity to make a major impact on the game of hockey,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck.
Collectors can find Lafrenière trading cards in current packs of 2017-18 Upper Deck CHL Hockey and 2018 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors, as well as in upcoming releases of 2018-19 Upper Deck CHL Hockey (April 2019) and 2019 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors (August 2019). Upper Deck will also have Lafrenière autographs in its online store as part of the agreement. Lafrenière’s autographs on trading cards haven’t been much more than an “A” and and “L” but the items he’s signed for Upper Deck appear to contain a full signature.
“Joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy and Connor McDavid as an Upper Deck spokesman is a dream come true for me and my family,” said Lafrenière in an Upper Deck news release. “This is an exciting time in my career, and I look forward to working with Upper Deck for many more years to come.”
Related Stories:
Georgia QB JT Daniels Signs Autograph Deal
Tom Brady Knocks Out Autographs at $3,000+ a Pop
Upper Deck in Autograph Deal with Justin Thomas
Notes: Nebraska Shop Featured; MJ Rookie Nets $200K; Forbes on Sports Immortals Collection; UD Hockey Sets
Notes: eBay ‘Offer to Buyers’ a Big Hit; New England Market Strong; $1 Million Gretzky Rookie?; Upper Deck and Alexis
Upper Deck Lands Exclusive Deal with NHL No. 1 Pick Jack Hughes
Upper Deck Signs Shanshan Feng to Autograph Deal
Steiner Signs Triple Crown Jockey Smith, Aaron Nola, Landon Collins
